Merseyrail services will operate as normal this weekend as planned strike action by the RMT union is postponed. Tony McDonough reports

Merseyrail has welcomed the decision by the RMT union to call off planned strike action this weekend.

This means the Merseyrail network will see a normal service on Saturday and Sunday. The news comes as around 300,000 spectators converge on Royal Birkdale near Southport for the Open gold championship.

Had the strike gone ahead Merseyrail was planning to suspend services across both the Northern and Wirral lines apart from the Southport line where it intended to run trains to and from Birkdale.

Members of the RMT union, who include station retailers, station assistants, train managers, revenue protection officers, control centre staff, cleaners and some head office employees have been unhappy with the latest pay offer.

Following the rejection of an initial 4% pay increase for 2026, Merseyrail tabled an improved offer worth 7.25% over two years, backdated to January 2026. This new offer will now be put to a ballot of members.

Neil Grabham, managing director of Merseyrail, said: “We are pleased that the RMT has agreed to postpone the planned industrial action while its members consider and vote on the improved offer that has been put forward.

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“This is positive news for our customers, our employees and Liverpool city region. Merseyrail is proud to be one of the best-performing train operators in the country, and we are now looking forward to focusing on what we do best.

“We are grateful to our customers for their patience and understanding while these discussions have been taking place, and we are pleased that they can now continue to travel with confidence this weekend.”