Rail and postal worker union bosses have decided to postpone a number of planned days of strike action following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8 September.
Representing rail workers and Royal Mail postal staff, unions said that “out of respect for her service to the country and her family.” they had made the decision to cancel immediate action.
They also revealed that planned maintenance works on the railway will likely also be postponed in order to enable people to travel more easily to pay their respects, reports The Manc.
Postal workers had previously planned to hold strike action on Friday 9 September, with members voting by 98.7% to pursue further action, on a 72.2% turnout.
RMT rail workers had also planned walkouts on 15 and 17 September, but this has now been suspended.
Speaking on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, RMT’s Mick Lynch, who has been a vocal presence for RMT this summer, said: “RMT joins the whole nation in paying its respects to Queen Elizabeth.
“The planned railway strike action on 15 and 17 September is suspended.
“We express our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the country.”
Aslef, the train drivers’ union, has also postponed strike action that had originally been planned for 15 September.
The cancellations of planned strikes mean that railway services will run as normal, bosses said.
A spokesperson from the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said it welcomed the decision by the RMT to call off next week’s strike action at a time of “national mourning”.
“The whole railway family is united in sending our condolences to the Royal Family,” the spokesperson said.
The RMT Union will reschedule the strikes, it is believed, although it has not yet decided when they would take place. However, it has been confirmed that two weeks’ notice will be given in advance of any strike action.
Proposed railway works could also be postponed to ensure people can travel to pay their respects.
Feature image – Geograph / Geograph
