Avanti staff at Manchester Piccadilly to strike tomorrow over ‘unfair dismissal’ of colleague

Avanti West Coast staff based at Manchester Piccadilly are set to stage strike action tomorrow.

Due to what has been described as the ‘unfair dismissal’ of a colleague, rail union RMT has announced that Avanti West Coast members at Manchester Piccadilly station are set to walk out tomorrow (Saturday 1 August) – with several other strikes also planned later in the year.

Despite taking industrial action against sacking – which was based on anonymous allegations – RMT says the company has decided to ‘ignore’ the workforce and uphold the sacking at an appeal hearing. 

As well as the 24-hour strike tomorrow, two other strikes have also been announced for future dates – 29 August, and 10 October.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that the sacking was ‘extremely disappointing’.

He claimed the worker had ‘clearly’ been the victim of a toxic workplace culture which encouraged anonymous and unsubstantiated complaints.

“This member has been made a scapegoat for multiple management failings, including the company’s inability to manage its employees to an acceptable standard within the workplace,” commented RMT general secretary, Eddie Dempsey.

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“This union is sending the clearest possible message to Avanti West Coast that there will be no let-up until this unfair dismissal is overturned and the issues at the heart of this dispute are resolved.”

Featured Image – Network Rail