17.07.12
TSSA Olympics strike averted
An Olympic strike ballot on the West Coast Main Line has been averted after intervention from the transport secretary, the London Evening Standard has reported.
The TSSA union was to vote for industrial action following the suspension of a union official and had already highlighted July 26 as the date for a planned 24-hour walkout.
According to the Standard, Justine Greening intervened by urging the union to avoid disruption of the Olympic Games. The event opens on July 27.
TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said “We have decided that the country wants to see a fully operational and safe transport system during the course of this showpiece event when the eyes of the world will be on Britain.
“We want to play our part in that. I would also like to thank our Virgin members for their backing for their colleague which has led to new talks and which will now hopefully produce a solution to this long running dispute.”
Two more strike ballots are still running, and could coincide with the opening of the Games. Union RMT is balloting members for action in support of Olympic bonus payments, with results to be declared on July 19.
Since unions must provide seven days notice of any industrial action, this could result in serious disruption to the opening of the Games.
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