The train drivers’ union, Aslef, has launched the latest round of industrial action in its long and bitter dispute with 14 English train operators over pay and working arrangements.
The general secretary, Mick Whelan, said: ‘We are going on strike again not to inconvenience passengers, but to express our disgust at the intransigence of this government, and the bad faith shown by the private companies which employ us.”
Train drivers demand a no-strings pay increase followed by negotiations at a local level to modernise working practices – which will come at an additional price to the employers. Aslef says some drivers have not had a wage rise for five years.
The train operators, who are represented by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), say that even a modest pay increase is contingent on far-reaching reforms.
Any deal will be signed off by the Department for Transport (DfT). Taxpayers footing the bill – ticket revenue is about 20 per cent down on pre-Covid levels, with the subsidy for the railway running at £16,300 per minute – £4,000 more than before the pandemic.
The union says it has had no talks with the RDG since April, nor with ministers since January.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “It is disappointing that Aslef are targeting the public and hospitality businesses at the beginning of the festive period. Instead of going on strike, Aslef should be following in the footsteps of the other rail unions and giving their members a vote on this fair pay deal.”
A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said: “This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the Aslef leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses ahead of the vital festive period.”
Aslef is in dispute with the rail firms that are contracted by the government to provide rail services. They are:
Intercity operators:
- Avanti West Coast
- CrossCountry
- East Midlands Railway
- Great Western Railway
- LNER
- TransPennine Express
London commuter operators:
- C2C
- Greater Anglia
- GTR (Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink)
- Southeastern
- South Western Railway (including the Island Line on the Isle of Wight)
Operators focusing on the Midlands and north of England:
- Chiltern Railways
- Northern Trains
- West Midlands Railway
What is planned?
A nine-day overtime ban is causing thousands of cancellations from 1 to 9 December inclusive.
Union members will strike on a range…
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