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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Lizzy Buchan

Rail strikes planned for next week suspended out of respect to the Queen

Major rail strikes planned for next weekend have been suspended following the death of the Queen.

The RMT union said it was calling off planned walkouts on September 15 and 17 as the nation pays its respect to its longest reigning monarch.

The Queen died peacefully this afternoon at Balmoral Castle after 70 years on the throne.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "RMT joins the whole nation in paying its respects to Queen Elizabeth.

"The planned railway strike action on September 15 and 17 is suspended.

"We express our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the country."

Around 40,000 workers had been due to go out on strike at Network Rail and 14 operating companies in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) has also called off planned strikes this month.

TSSA members on Avanti West Coast had been due to strike for three days in a row from September 15-17.

Members at nine train operating companies and Network Rail were also due to walk out from midday on Monday 26 until midday Tuesday 27 September.

The union said: "Upon the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has died, TSSA union expresses deepest condolences to her family, friends, the country and those affected by her passing.

"TSSA is cancelling planned industrial action for September and will be respecting the period of public mourning.

"The union pays respect to Britain's longest serving monarch."

Posties have also scrapped strike action due to take place tomorrow.

The Communication Workers Union tweeted: "Following the very sad news of the passing of the Queen and out of respect for her service to the country and her family, the union has decided to call off tomorrows planned strike action."

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