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Rail union suspends strike action Railway strike action called off
(about 3 hours later)
One of the unions involved in the rail strike which has hit National Express East Anglia services has suspended its latest action. Strike action on the busy National Express East Anglia rail line has been called off by unions.
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 had begun a third 48-hour strike on Thursday.
An Aslef spokesman said the action by its members had been suspended. But the unions said industrial action would be suspended from midnight and claimed a major victory in the fight for improved pay and conditions.
The walk-out has affected trains between London and Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, and also services in Hertfordshire. The strike hit trains between London and Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and 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 was part of a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.
Residual delays The latest strike started at 0001 BST on Thursday and had been due to end at 2359 BST on Friday.
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. No-one should be in any doubt that this improved offer has been won through the commitment and determination of our members Bob Crow, RMT general secretary
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. It had resulted in fewer than 5% of National Express of services being able to run.
Bob Crow said it was likely they would also accept and also suspend action tomorrow. Services should now run as normal on Friday with union members due to return to work.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow earlier said National Express management had offered a 3.5% pay increase over two years, with the potential for a further 0.5% on top.
After the strike was called off he said: "No-one should be in any doubt that this improved offer has been won through the commitment and determination of our members on National Express East Anglia to secure a fair deal.
"It's their sacrifice over the past three weeks that has forced the company's hand and they can be proud of what they have achieved.
One rail passenger said she was losing patience with the rail strikers
"We will now be consulting again with the company representatives and if our members want a final say on the revised deal then we will give them that in a referendum ballot."
Aslef said the decision to suspend the strike followed talks which led to negotiators securing an offer which they expected members to accept.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." General secretary of Aslef 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. National Express East Anglia said it welcomed the move by the unions to suspend the strike.
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.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.""We would like to thank our customers for their patience during the industrial action."