The RMT has called its 70 members at Manchester Piccadilly who work for Avanti West Coast out on strike again, in a dispute over the allegedly unfair dismissal of one of their colleagues.

The 24-hour walkouts are set to be staged on 1 and 29 August, and again on 10 October.

The union has claimed that the dismissal had been based on ‘anonymous accusations’. An appeal to reverse the decision has failed.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that it was ‘extremely disappointing to sack a worker who had clearly been the victim of a toxic workplace culture which encouraged anonymous and unsubstantiated complaints’.

He continued: ‘This member has been made a scapegoat for multiple management failings, including the company's inability to manage its employees to an acceptable standard within the workplace.

‘This union is sending the clearest possible message to Avanti West Coast that there will be no let-up until this unfair dismissal is overturned and the issues at the heart of this dispute are resolved.’

Avanti West Coast has yet to comment.

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