ASLEF reveal that train drivers are to take part in further strike action

Train drivers have opted to hold a walkout at 12 rail operating companies on Thursday the 15th of September as the dispute over pay continues.

Trade union ASLEF represent 96% of train drivers throughout England, Scotland and Wales and has once again elected to strike which will affect the following operators on Thursday the 15th of September:

• Avanti West Coast
• Chiltern Railways
• CrossCountry
• Greater Anglia
• Great Western Railway
• Hull Trains
• LNER
• London Overground
• Northern Trains
• Southeastern
• TransPennine Express
• West Midlands Trains

ASLEF general secretary, Mick Whelan said: ‘We regret that, once again, passengers are going to be inconvenienced, because we don't want to go on strike – withdrawing our labour, although a fundamental human right, is always a last resort for a trade union – but the train companies have forced our hand.

‘They want train drivers to take a real terms pay cut – to work just as hard this year as last, but for 10% less. Because inflation is now in double figures and heading higher – much higher, according to some forecasts – and yet the train companies have offered us nothing. And this for train drivers who kept Britain moving – key workers and goods around the country – throughout the pandemic and who have not had an increase in salary since 2019.

‘We want the companies – which are making big profits, and paying their chief executives enormous salaries and bonuses – to make a proper pay offer to help our members keep up with the increase in the cost of living. That's why we are calling on the companies today to do the right thing – the decent thing – and come back to the negotiating table with an offer our members can accept.'

ASLEF members have already taken part in a 24-hour walkout on Saturday the 30th of July and on Saturday the 13th of August with the same operators with no accord reached so far.

ASLEF have seen successful pay deals achieved with nine companies during 2022 including DB Cargo; Eurostar; Freightliner Heavy Haul; Freightliner Intermodal; GB Railfreight; Merseyrail; MTR Elizabeth line; PRE Metro Operations; and ScotRail. The union has also put deals in place with other companies over a number of years and is currently in negotiation with Direct Rail Services and Transport for Wales alongside putting an offer from Colas IM to members.