 Aintree Racecourse is planning alternative transport |
Race-goers travelling to the Grand National by train could be hit after rail staff threatened to go on strike. The RMT union is in dispute with local rail operators Merseyrail over plans to move guards on to a 35-hour week.
Aintree Racecourse, which organises the meeting, said it was planning more park and ride sites to cope with the threatened strike on 8 and 9 April.
Union officials and Merseyrail managers were in talks on Thursday in an effort to resolve the dispute.
The RMT said it wanted managers to offer rail guards a 35-hour week "without strings attached".
The current deal on the table involved altered sick pay, rotas and rest days, said the RMT's Andy Boyack. He added: "Our members voted 20 to one in favour of strike action over a week ago, which is a very strong mandate for action. They want a 35-hour week without strings attached."
Charles Barnett, Managing Director of Aintree Racecourse, said the meeting would not be too badly affected.
He said: "We have looked into the question of providing additional buses and increasing the number of park and ride sites and we can increase the number of these quite easily.
"While it's going to be jolly inconvenient and disappointing for race-goers there are ways and means around this type of problem and this is what we have to do."
Patrick Verwer, Managing Director of Merseyrail, said he was "disappointed" the RMT had announced planned strikes before talks had finished.
He added: "Merseyrail is determined to find a solution with our trades union partners for the long-term benefit of our staff, our passengers and the people of Merseyside. I hope that the trades union will be as determined as we are to get this resolved".
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While it's going to be jolly inconvenient and disappointing for race goers there are ways and means around this type of problem and this is what we have to do
