Strike plan to close tunnels called off

Apr 13 2006

By Jessica Shaughnessy Daily Post Staff

STRIKE action that would have caused chaos for Merseyside commuters has been suspended. Council workers' leaders last night called for the suspension of further industrial action in the bitter nationwide dispute over pensions. The move means there will not be a repeat of the chaos on March 30, when the Wallasey and Birkenhead tunnels were closed. Merseytravel staff, including chief executive Neil Scales, walked out to join more than 1m council workers across the country. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT But the Unison and GMB unions' plans for a two-day strike between April 25 and 27 were put on hold after it was revealed a framework for talks on the issue with employers had been agreed. Last night, Merseyside union leaders said they were hopeful of a deal being reached with the Government. Roger Irvine, secretary of Merseytravel's Unison branch, said: "Nobody likes to go out on strike and we are hopeful of an agreement being reached. "We had a tremendous amount of support, but everyone will be very pleased that we don't have to resort to walking out again." Alec McFadden, president of the Merseyside TUC, said the suspension of the strike may have been a mistake. He said: "Exactly the same thing happened last year and things ended up no further forward. Who is to say it will not go the same way?"

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