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Rail union suspends strike action | Rail union suspends strike action |
(20 minutes later) | |
One of the unions involved in the rail strike which has hit National Express East Anglia services has suspended its latest action. | One of the unions involved in the rail strike which has hit National Express East Anglia services has suspended its latest action. |
Aslef, the RMT and the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association began a third 48-hour strike on Thursday. | Aslef, the RMT and the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association began a third 48-hour strike on Thursday. |
An Aslef spokesman said the action by its members had been suspended. | An Aslef spokesman said the action by its members had been suspended. |
The walk-out has affected trains between London and Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, and also services in Hertfordshire. | The walk-out has affected trains between London and Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, and also services in Hertfordshire. |
The industrial action started at 0001 on Thursday and was due to end at 2359 BST on Friday, in a dispute over pay and conditions. | The industrial action started at 0001 on Thursday and was due to end at 2359 BST on Friday, in a dispute over pay and conditions. |
Residual delays | |
Progress had been made during the talks on Wednesday, RMT general secretary Bob Crow said, with National Express management offering a 3.5% pay increase over two years. | Progress had been made during the talks on Wednesday, RMT general secretary Bob Crow said, with National Express management offering a 3.5% pay increase over two years. |
He said the union was in talks about the revised offer, which National Express said would be taken away if members went ahead with a strike. | |
Bob Crow said it was likely they would also accept and also suspend action tomorrow. | |
Aslef said the decision to suspend the strike followed talks which led to negotiators securing an offer which they expected members to accept. | |
Union general secretary Keith Norman said: "I feel we have secured a reasonable pay increase given the general economic climate and the financial position of National Express East Anglia." | |
National Express East Anglia said it welcomed the move by Aslef. | |
Managing director Andrew Chivers said: "We will endeavour to run the best service possible tomorrow, though there may be some residual delays and alterations to services as we restore the normal service. | |
"We would like to thank our customers for their patience during the industrial action." |