Avanti West Coast agrees a pay rise for train drivers working the Manchester route, aimed at preventing industrial action. Drivers receive a 3.6% increase, with starting salaries reported at around £70,000, along with improved payments for Sunday and rest-day working.
The outlets describe the package as focused on specific working-time arrangements. One report says drivers could also receive an additional £720 for covering five days a week, tied to fulfilling the relevant schedule. The reports emphasize changes to how Sunday and rest-day duties are paid, suggesting the agreement addresses both overall pay and allowances that affect weekly roster patterns.
While the reporting highlights the size of the uplift and the additional payments, the core points are consistent: a negotiated increase in pay and improved compensation for non-standard working days are agreed with drivers on the Manchester route, reducing the likelihood of a strike.
