Double rail strike misery ahead: Aslef staff will walk out at 12 train operators on September 15 before TSSA workers down tools at nine firms on September 26 at start of Labour party conference

By MARK DUELL FOR MAILONLINE
31 August 2022

Britain's rail passengers will suffer further travel misery next month after two unions confirmed their workers will stage fresh strikes in an escalation of the national dispute over pay, job security and conditions.

Train drivers' union Aslef said its members will walk out at 12 train operating companies on Thursday, September 15 in a dispute over pay that has already resulted in two other days of industrial action over the last five weeks.

Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains, LNER, London Overground, Northern, Southeastern, TransPennine Express and West Midlands Trains will all be affected.

In addition, members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) at nine train operating companies as well as Network Rail will also walk out from midday on Monday, September 26 until the same time the following day.

The operating companies affected by the TSSA action will be Avanti West Coast, c2c, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, LNER, Southeastern, TransPennine Express and West Midlands Trains.

The TSSA strike will coincide with the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. As a Labour-affiliated union, the TSSA said it will be looking for support from delegates and MPs to join them on picket lines - but Sir Keir Starmer will not join striking workers and insisted today that he would instead be focused on forming the next government.

The TSSA said it remains in talks with Network Rail about the possibility of a settlement to avert industrial action, but is urging Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to intervene in a bid to break the deadlock.

It follows seven previous rail strikes in recent months by Aslef, the TSSA and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) that have caused chaos for commuters and those travelling around the UK for events and summer holidays.

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Empty platforms at London King's Cross railway station during the last TSSA strike on August 20 which was with the RMT

Manuel Cortes, leader of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, 

joins the picket line at London Euston station on July 27

'SIR' Keir Starmer won't join the transport strike
Duration Time0:28 Watch video

The TSSA's leader Manuel Cortes has written to both Mr Shapps and bosses of Department for Transport-held train companies in recent days. He wants the Government to allow operators to 'return to the negotiating table with a revised deal which improves on the insulting 2 per cent offer which was rejected earlier in the summer'.

Mr Cortes said today: 'The dead hand of Grant Shapps is sadly stopping train operating companies from making a revised, meaningful offer.

Which strikes are taking place in September?

Strikes or ballots for industrial action are being announced virtually every day as workers across the UK join the growing campaign for pay rises to match soaring inflation in the face of the cost-of-living crisis.

Unions have described it as a 'summer of solidarity' amid worsening industrial relations and accusations from union officials that the Government is doing little or nothing to help workers struggling with mounting bills.

Here are some of the upcoming strikes and potential disputes stretching into the autumn:September 5: Barristers in England and Wales start an indefinite strike over Government-set fees for legal aid work.
September 8 and 9: Royal Mail workers in the Communication Workers union strike again over pay.
September 11: A strike ballot of Unite's NHS members in England closes.
September 15: Train drivers at 12 rail companies will strike in the dispute over pay, their union Aslef said.
September 15: A strike ballot of Royal College of Nursing members opens.
September 16: A strike ballot of Unite's NHS members in Wales closes.
September 26: A national strike ballot opens of Public and Commercial Service union members over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms.
September 26: Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association at a number of rail companies stage 24-hour strike in the long running row over pay, jobs and conditions.

'Frankly, he either sits across the negotiating table with our union or gets out of the way to allow railway bosses to freely negotiate with us, as they have done in the past.

'The reason for the current impasse lies squarely at Shapps' door and passengers are paying a high price for his incompetence and intransigence.

'I welcome the fact that negotiations are ongoing with Network Rail and the gap towards a resolution is narrowing. Time will tell whether a deal can be done to avert our next strike.

'I will be standing on our picket line in Liverpool and will be encouraging fellow delegates and Labour MPs to do likewise, so they can rightly show they stand shoulder to shoulder with those fighting the Tories' cost-of-living crisis.'

Labour leader Sir Keir again ruled out joining workers on a picket line today. He told Channel 5's Jeremy Vine: 'When it comes to industrial action, I completely understand why people are voting to go on strike.

'I understand how much they're struggling - wages have been stagnant for the best part of 10 years, we've now got a cost-of-living crisis, so prices are going up.'

Asked if he would join TSSA workers on the picket line he said: 'No. I want a Labour government, I want to be a Labour prime minister. You can't sit around the Cabinet table resolving issues and then walk onto a picket line, they are different jobs.'

Meanwhile Aslef's general secretary Mick Whelan said today as his union announced the new strikes: 'We regret that, once again, passengers are going to be inconvenienced.

'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 per cent 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.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer ruled out joining workers on a picket line, while appearing on Channel 5's Jeremy Vine today

TSSA leader Manuel Cortes with Labour's then-leader Jeremy Corbyn at the party's conference in Brighton in September 2015

Empty platforms at Wandsworth Common railway station in South London on August 20 during the last strike by the TSSA

'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.'

Rail union threatens strikes over new £1.2billion TfL rescue deal... and users face more fare rises: RMT says bail out will lead to job losses as campaigners fear prices will soar after government agreed to plug £740million funding hole

Unions today warned that a funding deal for Transport for London will lead to fresh strikes over concerns it will attack Tube workers' pay and pensions – while travel campaigners voiced fears over future fare increases.

The Department for Transport confirmed last night that it had struck a deal with Transport for London (TfL) to help the service cope with potential lost revenue caused by uncertainty over post-pandemic demand.

TfL expects to receive around £1.2billion of funding from the Government until the end of March 2024 to help should passenger numbers not recover at the rate budgeted for, amid continued concerns over home-working.

But London Mayor Sadiq Khan said a £740million funding gap remains in TfL's budget over the next 20 months, with fare increases and service cuts under consideration alongside efficiency savings.

Mr Khan accused the Government of seeking to provoke further strikes under the terms of the agreement, which require him to continue work on introducing driverless trains on the Underground and seek pension reforms.

Assurances over revenue will enable TfL to commit to £3.6billion on investment projects - but the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) claimed that the deal would hit Tube workers' pay and pensions.

The union said the deal 'appears conditional on attacks on workers' pensions, potential job losses and a push for pay restraint in the future despite the astronomical rise in inflation and an escalating cost of living crisis'.

He added: '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 walked out for 24 hours on Saturday, July 30 and on Saturday, August 13 at the 12 train operators.

The union added that this year it has 'successfully concluded pay deals with nine companies' – those being DB Cargo; Eurostar; Freightliner Heavy Haul; Freightliner Intermodal; GB Railfreight; Merseyrail; MTR Elizabeth line; PRE Metro Operations; and ScotRail.

Aslef added that it is in negotiations with Direct Rail Services and Transport for Wales, and has put an offer from Colas IM to its members.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'For the eighth time this summer, union leaders are choosing self-defeating strike action over constructive talks, not only disrupting the lives of millions who rely on these services but jeopardising the future of the railways and their own members' livelihoods.

'These reforms deliver the modernisations our rail network urgently needs, are essential to the future of rail, and will happen. Strikes will not change this.'

It comes as another rail union warned that a funding deal for Transport for London (TfL) will lead to fresh strikes.

The RMT said the announcement of a long-term funding arrangement by the Government and TfL yesterday will attack Tube workers' pay and pensions.

The union said driverless Tube trains were included in reforms called for by Mr Shapps as part of the deal.

RMT, along with other transport unions, will be holding a Save London Transport rally tonight with special guest US senator Bernie Sanders.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: 'This deal negotiated in secret by TfL and Government ministers will likely see our members pensions attacked and further pay restraint in the future, coupled with driverless trains.

'Grant Shapps' attack on Tube workers would be unacceptable at any time but in an escalating, cost-of-living crisis it is shameful and will be resisted through further strike action.

'The rally tonight will send a message that RMT and other transport unions will not tolerate attacks on workers' pay and conditions or cuts to public services.'

UK 

Travellers face bank holiday misery as 150 train lines hit by strikes and delays

A combination of rail strikes and engineering works are set to cause chaos for eight days

A fresh wave of strikes are set to hit the UK in May (Photo: Justin Tallis/Getty)

By Sam Rucker

May 3, 2024 

Britons hoping for a bank holiday weekend away could have their hopes dashed, as more than 150 train lines are set to be hit by a combination of rail strikes and engineering works over an eight-day period.

The upcoming bank holiday on Monday, 6 May, is predicted as the worst affected day, as a combination of rail works and an overtime ban will spark a “crescendo” of cars taking to UK roads.

Transport commentator and railway historian Christian Wolmar told i strikes were purposefully planned for the upcoming bank holiday weekend to “create a maximum impact”.

“It was obviously envisaged that the strikes would coincide with engineering works,” the author of The Subterranean Railway said.

Key stretches of train lines will be closed from late on Friday, 3 May, through to the start of service on Tuesday morning, 7 May. Network Rail says it will have 487 projects in operation over the course of the weekend.

Drivers at 16 train companies will strike between Tuesday and Thursday with an overtime ban in place from Monday to Saturday

A three-day succession of “rolling” strikes, starting on 7 May and affecting 16 rail operators, will also be held by Aslef, the union representing train drivers.

Union members will also be banned from overtime from Monday, 6 May, until Saturday, 11 May, causing further cancellations. At least 152 train lines are due to be affected by the disruption, according to analysis by i.

Rail expert Mr Wolmar warned that the upcoming Monday “will not go well” for hopeful holidaymakers, as thousands take to roads up and down the UK to avoid rail disruptions.

“It is not going to be a good day. It is sure to add at least a few per cent more users to the road,” Mr Wolmar said.

Earlier this week, car insurance company RAC revealed it expects 16 million motorists will make a leisure trip between Friday and Monday, taking bank holiday traffic well above pre-Covid levels.

On bank holiday Monday itself, parts of north-west England, East Anglia and south-west England will be hardest hit by returning traffic. RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson said to anticipate a “crescendo of cars on the road over the weekend”.

Those planning on driving to avoid rail disruption on Monday are urged to travel before 9am or after 5pm over the bank holiday period.

Strike days

• Monday 6 May: a ban on overtime is due to disrupt hundreds of lines
• Tuesday 7 May: c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR’s Great Northern, Thameslink and Southern (including Gatwick Express), Southeastern, and South Western Railway
• Wednesday 8 May: Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, West Midlands Trains, Chiltern and GWR
• Thursday 9 May: LNER, Northern, and TransPennine Express
• Friday 10 May: a ban on overtime is due to disrupt hundreds of lines
• Saturday 11 May: a ban on overtime is due to disrupt hundreds of lines

Addressing the engineering works, Network Rail’s system operator director Anit Chandarana said: “The vast majority of the railway will be open for business as normal.

“We know people want to travel by train and not replacement bus and we do our best to fit as much work as we can into these closures to minimise the impact on passengers and freight customers.”

Meanwhile, continued Aslef strikes form part of a near two-year-long pay dispute. There was hope this week of negotiations restarting between Aslef and train operators with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents rail companies.

No meetings have been held between the two sides for a year, while government ministers have not met with Aslef since the start of 2023.

Mr Wolmar predicts there is no end in sight to the latest wave of industrial action, blaming a “standoff” between the Government and Aslef.

He told i: “There will be more of this. There is just so much anger in Aslef with ministers refusing to talk. There is absolute deadlock.”

Looking beyond the bank holiday, industrial action is expected to affect the largest area of the country on Wednesday 8 May. A spokesperson for the RDG said the strikes were “wholly unnecessary”.

The spokesperson added: “[Strikes] will sadly disrupt customers and businesses once again, while further damaging the railway at a time when taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54m a week just to keep services running.”

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “It is now a year since we sat in a room with the train companies – and a year since we rejected the risible offer they made and which they admitted, privately, was designed to be rejected.”

Drivers at 16 train companies will strike for 24 hours on three consecutive dates between Tuesday and Thursday. In some places there may be no trains at all on strike days, and services that are running will typically run between 7.30am and 6.30pm.

Planned engineering works

• The main London-Birmingham line will be severed between Rugby and Birmingham International, disrupting Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Railway and London North Western Railway
• Avanti West Coast lines will generally be operating much-reduced services with many journeys taking significantly more time due to diversionary routes
• The Leamington Spa to Coventry line will affect CrossCountry services due to track renewals
• Lines around Cambridge will be disrupted due to work on the new Cambridge South station
• The Stansted airport-Cambridge line will be suspended
• The Euston and Milton Keynes Central line will be completely closed on 5 May
• Lines between Glasgow and anywhere in England will be closed on 5 May, “owing to improvement work on the West Coast Main Line at Crewe, Wigan and other locations”
• Lines around Liverpool will be affected by track renewals on 5 and 6 May
• Lines in Kent and Sussex will be impacted by widespread work linked to the Southeastern network
• The Dover-Folkestone will be running at a reduced speed

The union is asking for an unconditional pay rise, while rail firms and the Government say wage increases need to be contingent on reforms to working practices.

It has already rejected a two-year offer of 4 per cent in 2022, and again in 2024, claiming it was too far below inflation and linked to changes in working conditions.

Inrix transportation analyst Bob Pishue said: “Although delays won’t be as severe as Easter, drivers should expect the lengthiest hold-ups on major roads to and from popular destinations this weekend.

“Delays will likely peak on Friday afternoon with some areas seeing usual travel times double as holiday drivers vie for space on the roads with commuters.”

RDG said: “We continue to seek a fair agreement with the Aslef leadership which both rewards our people, gives our customers more reliable services and makes sure the railway isn’t taking more than its fair share from taxpayers.”

Speaking on industrial action last month, a Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Aslef is the only rail union continuing to strike, targeting passengers and preventing their own members from voting on the pay offer that remains on the table.”

UK
Train passengers face fresh disruption as rail workers strike again

Sam Corbishley

METRO UK

Saturday 29 Jul 2023 

A passenger at Waterloo train station in London during a strike by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) (Picture: PA)

Rail union boss Mick Lynch has accused the Government of preventing a settlement of the long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions which is causing fresh travel disruption on Saturday.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union walked out for the day, leading to the widespread cancellation of train services.

The union has been embroiled in the dispute for over a year, with no sign of a breakthrough. Controversial plans to close most ticket offices have worsened the dispute.

RMT general secretary Mr Lynch said the decision to close ticket offices will only save about £89 million – a ‘tiny fraction’ of the £1 billion he claims has been spent by the Government to ‘artificially keep the dispute going and prevent a settlement’.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch joins the picket line outside Newcastle Central station during a strike (Picture: PA)

He said: ‘The public is being ripped off not only to financially underwrite this dispute that could have been settled 18 months ago, but also to fund the closure of ticket offices which they rely on.



‘Closing 1,000 ticket offices will only save a small fraction of the money spent on rail company indemnity, to prolong the strike and the handsome profits they have made.

‘Ticket office closures are not popular with the public and we have seen mass opposition across the country.

‘Not only are ticket office closures being used as a fig leaf for the wholesale de-staffing of stations, but this is the thin end of the wedge for getting rid of staff across the railway network, something our union will oppose vigorously.

‘The elderly, vulnerable and disabled will no longer want to and in some cases be unable to use the railway because trained and friendly staff are waiting to assist them.

Passengers at Waterloo train station during a strike (Picture: PA)

A closed ticket office at Slough Railway Station (Picture: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock)

‘Our union remains wholly committed to reaching a negotiated settlement on pay, jobs, security and conditions.

‘But our members remain steadfast in their industrial action and will not be cowed into submission by anyone.’

Passengers were advised to check their travel arrangements as the strike will see wide variations in services across the country, with trains starting later and finishing much earlier than usual.

In some areas only about half of train services will run, while others will have no services at all.

The affected train operators are; Avanti West Coast, c2c, Caledonian Sleeper, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express), Heathrow Express, LNER, London Northwestern Railway, Northern, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway (including Island Line), Thameslink, TransPennine Express and West Midlands Railway.

RMT Strikes are taking place across parts of the rail network in England today in an ongoing dispute about pay and the closure of railyway station ticket offices 

(Picture: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock)

Picket lines will be mounted outside railway stations across England and workers said they were receiving strong support for their action from the public.

A Rail Delivery Group spokesman said the strike would disrupt the plans of families during the summer holidays.

‘This will lead to disappointment, frustration, and financial strain for tens of thousands of people.

‘We apologise for the inconvenience caused and understand the impact on individuals and businesses.

‘Our advice is to check before you travel.’

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: ‘The Government has met the rail unions, listened to them and facilitated improved offers on pay and reform.

‘The union leaders should put these fair and reasonable offers to their members so this dispute can be resolved.’

UK

Plans to keep passengers moving and shelves stocked as rail strike looms


With 40,000 RMT members voting, union warns of ‘potentially biggest rail strike in modern history’

Transport secretary, Grant Shapps, is expected to meet Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak next week to discuss the strike threat. 

Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images


Jane Clinton

THE OBSERVER

Sat 21 May 2022 

Contingency plans are being drawn up to try to keep passenger and freight trains running and prevent empty supermarket shelves after unions warned of “potentially the biggest rail strike in modern history”.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) is balloting 40,000 members on the industrial action, which network sources have reportedly said would create “serious challenges” in keeping goods moving and supermarket shelves stocked.

The vote, which is scheduled to close on Tuesday, includes staff on Network Rail and 15 train operating companies. The RMT said the action was being taken over pay, compulsory redundancies and safety concerns.

The Times has reported that plans under consideration include giving freight trains priority over passenger services. It also refers to senior rail insiders saying there could be times when the tracks were reserved for goods only.

A source quoted by the paper said: “There is an awful lot of work going on behind the scenes including around what the timetable might look like. One option is times of the day when only freight services operate.”

Switching goods from rail to roads is not a solution given the shortage of HGV drivers.

The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, will meet the prime minister and chancellor next week to discuss the threat as fears grown in Whitehall that the action could be worse than the junior doctors’ walkout in 2015, the paper adds.

The RMT has also said it intends to ballot members in Scotland for strike action after what it describes as a derisory 2.2% pay offer and proposed timetable changes that it called a “kick in the teeth” to workers.

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association union has warned of summer disruption unless pay disputes are resolved.


ScotRail axes more than 700 train services amid pay dispute

The union’s general secretary, Manuel Cortes, said many members had not seen a wage increase for two years.

“If the Department for Transport, train operating companies and Network Rail don’t come forward very soon with proposed pay increases which at least match inflation, a summer of discontent is on the way across our railways,” he said.

The RMT’s general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “Railway workers have had to contend with pay freezes, the prospect of losing their jobs and repeated attacks on their terms and conditions.

“Removing 2,500 safety-critical jobs from Network Rail will spell disaster for the public, make accidents more likely and will increase the possibility of trains flying off the tracks.”

The ballot will be among RMT members on Network Rail and Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains, Greater Anglia, LNER, East Midlands Railway, c2c, Great Western Railway, Northern Trains, South Eastern Railway, South Western Railway, Island Line, GTR (including Gatwick Express), Transpennine Express, Avanti West Coast, and West Midlands Trains. The results will be announced at 10am on Wednesday.

Tim Shoveller, Network Rail’s regional director, said: “We are disappointed that the RMT has taken this decision and urge them again to work with us, not against us, as we build an affordable railway fit for the future … We would not consider any changes that would make the railway less safe.”

A DfT spokesperson said: “With passenger numbers down and our railways on life-support, we need to act to make them fit for the future. We want a fair deal for staff, passengers and taxpayers so money isn’t taken away from other essential public services like the NHS.

“The unions should talk to us about the proposals before causing irreparable damage to our railways and strikes should be the last resort, not the first.”

Appointment of Collin May as Alberta human rights chief is ‘a significant problem’

by David J. Climenhaga

AlbertaPolitics.ca blog

July 19, 2022

Despite the flaws in her argument, Rajan Sawhney is the first and only UCP leadership candidate to speak out against the appointment of the Calgary lawyer.

UCP leadership candidate Rajan Sawhney.


United Conservative Party leadership candidate Rajan Sawhney yesterday issued a statement saying “it is a significant problem” that the new chief of the Alberta Human Rights Commission made “pejorative comments about Islam” in a 2009 book review published by a right-wing website.

In her statement, Sawhney called for further investigation of the comments made by May, who the UPC appointed to the job on Thursday, despite news and commentary about his 2009 book review.

This hardly seems necessary since his review can still easily be found online at the C2C Journal website, and because May has publicly admitted that he wrote it.

Moreover, she seems to suggest the uproar about May’s appointment may indicate that media reports are not to be trusted. Whatever flaws Alberta’s media may exhibit, the few journalists and commentators who covered this story can plead not guilty to that charge for the simple reason that May has confirmed the accuracy of everything he is reported to have said.

Still, despite the flaws in her argument, this is an important development because Sawhney is the first and so far the only UCP leadership candidate to speak out against May’s appointment, even if she is a long shot to win the leadership race.

She has set the bar – albeit a rather low one – for the other candidates to lead the UCP to live up to. Or not to live up to, in which case no UCP supporter should complain if this remains an issue through the leadership race and into the election campaign that follows.

The former transportation minister said she had taken the time to read the review herself and found that the author largely accepted an interpretation of Islam “which takes a highly controversial and negative view of the faith of tens or even hundreds of thousands of Albertans.”

“These comments have created considerable and understandable hurt within the Muslim community, but also among all Albertans who value our pluralistic society,” she said, noting that “it is a significant problem when the person who expressed those unacceptable views is responsible for adjudicating human rights issues.”

This is an important point because even though May says he has changed his opinion of Islam since he wrote the review 13 years ago, that does not alter the natural perceptions of his views as bound to bring the proceedings of the commission into disrepute.

It would have behooved the UCP Government to remember, as Lord Chief Justice Hewart famously said in 1924, it “is of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.”

As Sawhney observed yesterday, “no person of Muslim faith would have confidence that they are being treated neutrally by the Human Rights Commission if the Chair has pre-existing and negative views of that person’s faith.”

“This allegation of bias is also a reminder that the vetting of prospective candidates for sensitive and important jobs in government must be thorough,” she added, quite rightly.

Mind you, Sawhney was in cabinet when May was first appointed to the commission in a lesser role, so she should have some first-hand insight into how he was chosen the first time. Perhaps Cabinet simply accepted the minister’s recommendation without reflection or question.

Whatever vetting there was of May, it was disgracefully lax. It would almost be better if no checks had been made at all, which, while negligent would at least not have raised the additional possibility of malice in his selection.

DAVID J. CLIMENHAGA
author of the AlbertaPolitics.ca blog, is a journalist and trade union communicator who has worked in senior writing and editing positions with the Globe and Mail and the Calgary Herald.... More by David J. Climenhaga

UK
Aslef union train drivers to strike again over pay

Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent
Fri, 18 August 2023 

Train drivers are to stage a fresh strike in the long-running dispute over pay, threatening more travel chaos for passengers.

Members of Aslef will walk out on September 1 and will ban overtime on September 2, the same day as a strike by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).

Aslef said its strike will force train companies across England to cancel all services, while the ban on overtime will “seriously disrupt” the network.

The union maintains that none of the privatised train-operating companies employs enough drivers to provide a “proper service” without drivers working on their days off.

The companies affected are Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; c2c; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Greater Anglia; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; Great Western Railway; Island Line; LNER; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway; TransPennine Express; and West Midlands Trains.

Mick Whelan, Aslef general secretary, said: “We don’t want to take this action but the train companies, and the Government which stands behind them, have forced us into this place because they refuse to sit down and talk to us and have not made a fair and sensible pay offer to train drivers who have not had one for four years – since 2019 – while prices have soared in that time by more than 12%.

“The Government appears happy to let passengers – and businesses – suffer in the mistaken belief that they can bully us into submission.

“They don’t care about passengers, or Britain’s railway, but they will not break us.

“Train drivers at these companies have not had a pay rise for four years, since 2019, while inflation has rocketed,

A near-empty concourse at Paddington station in central London during an earlier Aslef strike day (PA)

“We haven’t heard a word from the employers – we haven’t had a meeting, a phone call, a text message, or an email – since April 26 and we haven’t had any contact with the government since January 6.

“This shows how the contempt in which the companies, and the government, hold passengers and staff and public transport in Britain.

“They are happy to let this drift on and on, but we are determined to get a fair pay rise for men and women who haven’t had one for four years while inflation has reached double figures.

“Our members, perfectly reasonably, want to be able to buy now what they could buy back in 2019.

It will be the 12th one-day strike by Aslef members since the dispute started over a year ago.

Mr Whelan warned of further industrial action if the deadlocked row continues, saying Aslef members were pressing the union to go “harder and faster.”

The RMT is also striking on August 26 in its dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

The Rail Delivery Group advised passengers that due to the RMT strikes there will be reduced services across the rail network on August 26 and September 2.

A statement said: “Train companies are doing all they can to keep passengers moving, but those travelling during that period are advised to plan ahead and check before they travel.

“RMT union members such as station staff, train managers, and catering staff will participate in the strikes, causing some disruption to travel plans.

“As the level of disruption will vary across the country, passengers are advised to check their travel arrangements in advance. We expect that more than half of the service will be running across the country.”

The strikes are likely to see trains start later and finish much earlier than usual, with only around half of services in some areas, while other parts of the country will have fewer or no services at all.

It is likely that evening services on some lines will be affected on the days before each strike and on the mornings after strike days.

A sign warning passengers at Waterloo Station in London, of planned strikes (PA)

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: ”Further strike action by the Aslef leadership is unnecessary and will cause more disruption to passengers looking to enjoy various sporting events and the end of the summer holidays.

“The union leadership has its head in the sand and refuses to put our fair and reasonable offer to their members.

“The offer would increase the average driver base salary for a four-day week without overtime from £60,000 to nearly £65,000 by the end of 2023.

“We want to give our staff a pay increase, but it has always been linked to implementing necessary, sensible reforms that would enhance services for our customers.

“We urge the Aslef leadership to acknowledge the substantial financial challenges facing the rail industry and work with us to achieve a more dependable and robust railway system for the future.”

The rail unions are also campaigning against controversial plans to close most railway ticket offices.

More than 300,000 people have responded to a consultation, which ends on September 1.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “The Government has played its part to try and end these disputes by facilitating fair and reasonable pay offers, taking train drivers’ average salaries from £60,000 to £65,000, but union leaders refuse to give their members a vote.

“Aslef and the RMT are coordinating their strikes to try and cause as much disruption as they can, deliberately targeting the Bank Holiday weekend – which for many, is the last weekend of the school summer holidays.”

UK

Train drivers vote to continue industrial action in long-running pay dispute


Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent
Wed, 9 August 2023 

Train drivers at several rail companies have voted to continue industrial action in their long-running dispute over pay.

Aslef said the results of new ballots for strikes on passenger services in England and on London Underground showed continued support from drivers.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said: “The results of these new ballots show the determination of our members to win this dispute.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan (Yui Mok/PA)


“That’s why I am calling on the train companies, and the Government that stands behind them, to do the right thing and return to the negotiating table with a new offer and prevent more disruption to passengers and businesses in Britain.”

Aslef members at Chiltern, East Midlands, Northern and TransPennine voted in favour of continuing with strikes after being reballoted after six months under employment law.

Drivers at c2c were balloted for the first time and also voted heavily in favour.

Drivers at freight operating company Direct Rail Services also voted in favour of industrial action in a separate dispute over pay.

(PA Graphics)

London Underground drivers also backed industrial action in a reballot in another dispute over pay, pensions and conditions.

Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser on the Underground, said: “These huge votes, from the high 90s to 100%, in favour of action, demonstrate just how determined our members are to protect their terms and conditions at work from the effects of the Government’s attack on TfL (Transport for London) funding.

“As always, we are prepared to discuss and negotiate, but we will never accept detrimental changes being imposed on Aslef’s members.”

WEAKEST LINK

Members of TSSA union vote to accept offers from train companies

Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent
Fri, 24 February 2023 


Members of one of the rail unions involved in the long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions have voted to accept offers from train companies.

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) said its 3,000 members voted overwhelmingly in favour of deals which include a two-year pay rise worth 9%.

The union said it had won an improved deal on pay, as well as commitments on job security and full consultation over any possible changes to terms and conditions following months of industrial unrest.

The union said 80% of management grade staff and 60% of general grade members voted to accept the offers.

The result means the TSSA will formally accept the offers and notify the train companies that ballots for continuing industrial action have been withdrawn.

A TSSA spokesperson said: “This is a clear decision from our members which will end our long-running dispute – something which could have happened months ago had it not been for Government intransigence.

“The incredible resolve we have seen from our members has resulted in a significantly improved pay deal over two years, commitments for no compulsory redundancies, improved opportunities for redeployment, as well as full consultation over proposed reforms to ticket offices and any changes to terms and conditions.

“Thanks to the great commitment of our members across the train companies they have collectively won a better future and can be rightly proud of their actions in this historic dispute.

“We will continue to hold the train companies and the Government to account as we go forward because Britain needs a fully functioning rail network at the heart of our green industrial future, and as a means of rebuilding our economy in the wake of the Covid pandemic.”

Steve Montgomery, who chairs the Rail Delivery Group, said: “This is a positive breakthrough which shows these disputes can be resolved when members are given an opportunity to have their say in a democratic vote.

“TSSA members have sent a clear message that they welcome this fair offer, which means that those on the lowest pay are now eligible for a rise of over 13%, with all grades receiving at least a 9% rise in their 2022/23 pay packets.

“We hope that the RMT leadership will take this opportunity to reconsider their rejection of our equivalent offer, call off their unnecessary and disruptive strikes and allow their members a referendum on their own deal.”

Industrial action has cost the industry around £480 million in lost ticket revenue since June.

The agreement includes a two year pay deal covering 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 with a 5% increase or a minimum increase of £1,750 whichever is the greater in year one and a further 4 % per cent increase in year two.

There will be no compulsory redundancies of employees within the grades affected until December 2024.

The TSSA said it continues to oppose the proposed closures of ticket offices.

The train companies involved are – Avanti West Coast, C2C, Chiltern Railways, Cross Country, East Midlands Railway, Govia Thameslink Railway, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, London North Eastern Railway, Northern Trains Limited, South Eastern Railway, South Western Railway, Trans Pennine Express, West Midlands Trains.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “The outcome of this referendum is positive news.

“Having been given the opportunity to vote on their own futures, we’re pleased that TSSA members overwhelmingly recognised the benefits of this fair and reasonable pay deal.

“This best and final offer, facilitated by the Government, includes a fair pay rise, no compulsory redundancies and the vital reforms needed to get our railways back on a financially sustainable footing.

“Meanwhile, the RMT’s leaders are still refusing even to give their members the chance to vote on this offer.”

Rail workers union TSSA accepts pay deal rejected by RMT

Chris Price
Fri, 24 February 2023 

TSSA union members during a strike on Crossrail last month - JULIAN SIMMONDS

Thousands of rail staff have accepted a pay deal that the RMT union is refusing to put to a ballot of its members, in a move that piles pressure on its leader Mick Lynch.

Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) have voted to accept offers by train companies in the long-running dispute over pay, job security and conditions.

The deal accepted by the union's 3,000 members includes at least a 9pc increase over two years, rising to more than 14pc for the lowest paid workers.


A spokesman for the union said: "This is a clear decision from our members which will end our long-running dispute - something which could have happened months ago had it not been for Government intransigence.”

But the Government said: “The outcome of this referendum is positive news. Having been given the opportunity to vote on their own futures, we’re pleased that TSSA members overwhelmingly recognised the benefits of this fair and reasonable pay deal.

“Meanwhile, the RMT’s leaders are still refusing even to give their members the chance to vote on this offer.”

The RMT, which represents 40,000 workers across Network Rail and 14 train operators, rejected the offer this month and instead announced a fresh wave of rail strikes for Thursday, March 16, Saturday, March 18, Thursday, March 30, and Saturday, April 1.

It was widely thought that the union was preparing to agree to a new pay deal earlier this year, only for union hardliners to urge Mr Lynch not to put the terms to a ballot of its members.

Steve Montgomery, who chairs the Rail Delivery Group, said the TSSA backing of the pay deal showed “disputes can be resolved when members are given an opportunity to have their say in a democratic vote”.

"TSSA members have sent a clear message that they welcome this fair offer, which means that those on the lowest pay are now eligible for a rise of over 13pc, with all grades receiving at least a 9pc rise in their 2022/23 pay packets.”

UK

Train strikes 2023: List of London rail services to be hit by September ASLEF and RMT action

Ben Lynch
Tue, 29 August 2023 

A RMT flag flies at a picket line outside Euston Station. Credit: Hollie Adams/Getty Images.

Londoners are set for more days of travel disruption in September due to two days of planned industrial action.

The ASLEF and RMT unions have announced they will be taking action due to ongoing disputes with the government and Rail Delivery Group over pay.

ASLEF has announced a strike on September 1 and an overtime ban on 16 train companies across the country on September 2, while 20,000 RMT members will also be striking on September 2.

ASLEF members will also be taking part in September action. Credit: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images.


The combined action is expected to cause widespread disruption across the UK’s services.
Which train companies are going to be affected?

Most of the train companies due to be impacted by the action run services in and out of London. According to Network Rail, all of them will be affected on both days, September 1 and 2.

They are: Greater Anglia, Stansted Express, c2c, Great Western Railway, Chiltern Railways, Southeastern, Gatwick Express, Southern, Thameslink, Heathrow Express, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, South Western Railway, LNER and London Northwestern Railway.
What have the unions said?

Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general secretary, said: “We don’t want to take this action but the train companies, and the government which stands behind them, have forced us into this place because they refuse to sit down and talk to us and have not made a fair and sensible pay offer to train drivers who have not had one for four years – since 2019 – while prices have soared in that time by more than 12%.

Mr Whelan accused the government of being “happy to let this drift on and on. But we are determined to get a fair pay rise for men and women who haven’t had one for four years while inflation has reached double figures. Our members, perfectly reasonably, want to be able to buy now what they could buy back in 2019.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "The mood among our members remains solid and determined in our national dispute over pay, job security and working conditions.

“We have had to call further strike action as we have received no improved or revised offer from the Rail Delivery Group.

“The reason for this is the government has not allowed them a fresh mandate on which discussions could be held.

“Our members and our union will continue fighting until we can reach a negotiated and just settlement.”
What have the train companies said?

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson previously told LondonWorld staff were offered a 13% pay rise which was “blocked without a convincing explanation” by the RMT executive.

“With further strike action the RMT are once again targeting customers looking to enjoy various sporting events, festivals, and the end of the summer holidays, disrupting their plans and forcing more cars onto the road,” the spokesperson said.

“We have now made three offers, the latest of which would have given staff pay rises of up to 13% as well as job security guarantees and the RMT executive have blocked this without a convincing explanation.

“We remain open to talks and we have said repeatedly that we want to give our people a pay rise, but until the union leadership and executive is united in what it wants and engages in good faith with the 30% shortfall in revenue the industry is continuing to grapple with post-Covid, it is difficult to move forward.

“Unfortunately, the repercussion of this impasse affects our staff, customers, and the communities across the country that rely on the railway.”
What has the government said?

A Department for Transport spokesperson said the government has facilitated “fair and reasonable pay offers.

“However, union bosses are opting to prolong this dispute by blocking their members from having a vote on these offers. We continue to urge that members are given their say and disruption is brought to an end.”

UK

All the strikes taking place in August including RMT, doctors and airport staff

Carlo Simone
Mon, 14 August 2023

Junior doctors are one prominent group which has been striking (Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

Strikes have become almost a common part of life in Britain now, and that is no different in August 2023, with several different industries walking out.

There have been plenty of negotiations related to pay and conditions for hundreds of thousands of workers in different fields over the last year or so.

These have mainly come from rail workers, NHS staff, teachers, airport security staff and many more.


For some of these groups there seems to be no end in sight for both the Governments and the unions to reach an agreement.

Bournemouth Echo: The RMT is one group which is going on strike for a day in August

The RMT is one group which is going on strike for a day in August (Image: PA)

Here are the remaining strikes that are scheduled for the remainder of August 2023.
August 2023 list of strikes

The list of strike dates below are accurate as of the time of writing (Monday, August 14).
RMT to strike once again

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said 20,000 of its members in 14 train operators would walk out on August 26 and September 2.

The union said it had been left with “little choice” but to take further action as it had seen no improved or revised offer from the Rail Delivery Group.

The 14 train operating companies affected by the new strikes are: Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains, Greater Anglia, LNER, East Midlands Railway, c2c, Great Western Railway, Northern Trains, South Eastern, South Western Railway, Transpennine Express, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains and GTR (including Gatwick Express).
Consultant doctors to strike

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced that consultant doctors will be taking strike action for 48 hours.

This will be from 7 am on Thursday, August 24 to 7 am on Saturday, August 26.

On the NHS website it says: "During the two days of action, BMA has advised that consultants will provide Christmas Day cover, meaning they will continue to provide an emergency care only level of service."
Gatwick strikes

Unite has announced strikes by ground handlers and passenger assistance workers at Gatwick Airport during mid and late August.

Bournemouth Echo: Strikes at Gatwick Airport could cause some disruption

Strikes at Gatwick Airport could cause some disruption (Image: PA)

Members who work for the ground handling company Red Handling will walk out for four days from August 18, and a further four days from August 25, which includes the August bank holiday weekend.

Meanwhile, members of the union employed by Wilson James, which operates Gatwick's passenger assistance contract, will walk out for three days from August 18, and a further three days from August 22.
Birmingham Airport strikes

Indefinite strike action is set to commence on Tuesday, August 15 by tanker drivers and operators who refuel planes at Birmingham Airport.

UK
Delays and disruption warning as train strikes begin

Joe Langstaffe,BBC News

PA
Avanti West Coast trains will not be operating on Wednesday

Rail passengers across Wales are to face disruption on Wednesday with train drivers from the Aslef union striking as part of a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

Great Western Railway (GWR) services along the south Wales mainline will be “extremely limited”, according to the operator.

No Avanti West Coast trains will be running between Chester and Holyhead on Anglesey, while the CrossCountry service between Cardiff Central and Nottingham will also not be operating.

Transport for Wales, which provides all other train services in Wales, is not in dispute with Aslef and trains will be operating as normal.

Train strikes: How are you affected this week?

New direct train from London to Wrexham proposed

Transport for Wales rail fares to rise by 4.9%

However, it warned services are likely to be particularly busy.

Aslef members at 16 train operators across the UK are taking part in the strike.

Three of those, which do not operate in Wales, will walk out on Thursday.

The union first balloted its members in June 2022, with numerous strikes and other industrial action taking place since.

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “Our pay deals at these companies ran out in 2019.

"Train drivers at these train operating companies have not had an increase in salary for five years.

“That is completely wrong. The employers – and the [UK] government – think we are going to give up and run away. They’re wrong”.

Great Western Railway said it will continue to operate limited services between Cardiff Central and Bristol Temple Meads, however all other GWR services have been cancelled.

It also warned services in the days following the strike could be affected.

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies affected by the strikes, said last month: "This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the Aslef leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses once again, while further damaging the railway at a time when taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54 million a week just to keep services running.

“We continue to seek a fair agreement with the ASLEF leadership which both rewards our people, gives our customers more reliable services and makes sure the railway isn’t taking more than its fair share from taxpayers."

Fresh strikes by train drivers to cause more disruption for rail passengers

The dispute is now the longest ever in the rail industry

PASSENGERS ARE BEING URGED TO CHECK BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TRAVEL BY TRAIN THIS WEEK (PA)

PA WIRE

ALAN JONES19 HOURS AGO

Rail services on some of the busiest commuter routes in the country will be at a standstill on Tuesday because of a fresh strike by drivers in a near two-year long pay dispute.

Members of Aslef at English operators including those running services into London such as Southern, Southeastern and South Western Railway will walk out for the day.

Strikes will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at different operators, while drivers are also banning overtime until Saturday which is also causing disruption.

Passengers are being urged to check before attempting to travel by train this week.

The dispute is now the longest ever in the rail industry.

There is a glimmer of hope that negotiations will start in a bid to resolve the row after the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) invited Aslef to talks about exploring any common ground which could break the deadlock.

No formal talks between the operators and the union have been held for a year and for longer involving a transport minister.

Business groups have warned of the impact on the economy of the strikes, especially for hospitality firms.

Muniya Barua, deputy chief executive at BusinessLDN, said: “Yet another round of industrial action across the rail network will cause disruption for businesses and commuters up and down the country.

“Amid weak economic growth, and as we head into a summer trading period which is crucial for retail, leisure and hospitality firms, we urge all parties to work together to resolve these long-running talks and keep the city moving. The impact of these walkouts will be felt even more acutely by many owing to a shorter working week.”

Train drivers will strike on the following days:

– Tuesday May 7: c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR’s Great Northern, Thameslink and Southern (including Gatwick Express), Southeastern, and South Western Railway.

– Wednesday May 8: Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern Railway, Chiltern, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, GWR, and West Midlands Trains.

– Thursday May 9: LNER, Northern, and TransPennine Express.

Aslef said its members have not had a pay rise for five years and has accused the Government of “giving up” trying to resolve the dispute.