Northern and RMT reach agreement to restore Sunday rail services

Northern and the RMT union have reached a landmark agreement to end the longest-running industrial dispute on the railway. The deal aims to restore between 60 and 80 Sunday train services across the North of England, some of which have been suspended for up to two years.

Services will be reintroduced incrementally to ensure reliability and sustainability. The company plans to prioritize routes with the greatest impact and support key seasonal events, such as Christmas markets. Approximately 230 Sunday trains are expected to be restored by May next year.

The dispute, which centered on staff working arrangements, has lasted nine years and frequently resulted in service cancellations. Northern Managing Director Tricia Williams described the deal as “genuinely groundbreaking,” noting it provides the foundation for a more reliable seven-day service to meet growing weekend demand.