London Overground: Strike called off as RMT Union considers fresh offer

Planned strikes next week by London Overground workers have been called off after a pay offer was improved, the RMT union has announced.

More than 300 RMT members working for Arriva Rail London were due to strike on Monday and Tuesday. They will now vote on the new offer next week.

An Arriva Rail London boss welcomed the strike being called off.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said progress had been made by workers' "determination to take strike action".

He added: "The dispute is not over but we have made sufficient progress to suspend the action next week in order for our members to assess the new offer fully in a referendum."

Steve Best, managing director of Arriva Rail London, which has the London Overground contract, said the firm would continue to work with the RMT to resolve the dispute.

"This is a positive step for our employees and London Overground customers, who will no longer face disrupted services next week," he said.

"We hope that together we can reach an agreement which delivers a fair pay award and long-term job security for our employees, as well as ensuring a financially sustainable future for ARL and our railway."

Last month Arriva Rail London said it had offered a "good pay award". But at the time Mr Lynch slammed the offer because he said it was "below inflation".

The called-off of strike action comes as the new names of London's six Overground lines have been revealed.

The existing network is being re-designed on Tube maps by Transport for London (TfL) - each line will get its own colour.

Services will become known as the Lioness line, the Mildmay line, the Windrush line, the Weaver line, the Suffragette line and the Liberty line.

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