COMMUTERS have been spared travel misery after late yesterday afternoon the RMT union called off next week's national strike action.
A nationwide rail strike by RMT members had been planned to begin at 6.30pm on Tuesday, June 29 finishing on Wednes-day, June 30.
It had been expected to cause chaos to hundreds of thousands of rail passengers across the country
The Rail Maritime and Transport union said Network Rail had offered to reopen its final salary pension scheme which had been the issue at the heart of the bitter dispute.
The offer was made during face-to-face talks yesterday between Net-work Rail chief executive John Armitt and RMT leader Bob Crow.
The union's executive agreed to suspend the 24-hour walkout.
This will allow workers to vote in a fresh ballot with a recommendation to accept the deal.
But a planned strike by workers on London Underground will still go ahead.
A spokesman for the union said: "An agreement has been reached which is excellent news for passengers, excellent news for Network Rail and excellent news for the country."
Swindon-based rail operator, First Great Western had prepared a special timetable for train services affected by the nationwide strike.
This was due to be provided to passengers today both at stations and on the company's website.
The company will now be operating a normal service on both days.
To find out more about First Great Western visit the website at:
Anthony Osborne
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