Millions of UK rail passengers are about to be hit by more train strikes this autumn in an industrial dispute that has lasted over two years. Aslef, a union for train drivers, has announced a walkout and overtime ban from the end of September into the first week of October.
14 companies across England
The strikes, involving 14 different franchises and both commuter and long-distance trains across England, are calendared for Saturday 30 September through Wednesday 4 October. The overtime ban is planned for Friday 29 September and Monday 2 through Friday 6 October. Scotland and Wales will not be affected.
It remains to be seen whether a “skeleton service” will be able to operate on the strike days, as predicted by The Independent. Aslef has said “the strike will force the train operating companies to cancel all services.”
The ban on overtime will seriously disrupt the network as the privatised train companies have always failed to employ enough drivers to provide a proper service – the service they promise passengers, businesses, and the government they will deliver – without asking drivers to work their rest days.
Aslef
Save our railway ticket offices pic.twitter.com/R6WK53noNs
— ASLEF (@ASLEFunion) September 13, 2023
No pay rise in last four years
Coinciding with the annual conference held at the start of October by the UK’s ruling Conservative Party, the industrial action aims to shine a light on drivers’ pay and conditions. Drivers have not had a pay rise since 2019 despite rampant inflation and various economic crises in the UK, including approximately £30 billion (€34.7 billion) wiped off the economy during the 50-day premiership of Tory Liz Truss, this time last year.
Aslef’s general secretary, Mick Whelan, said: “While we regret having to take this action – we don’t want to lose a day’s pay, or disrupt passengers as they try to travel by train – the government, and the employers, have forced us into this position.”
Our members have not, now, had a pay rise for four years – since 2019 – and that’s not right when prices have soared in that time. Train drivers, perfectly reasonably, want to be able to buy now what they could buy four years ago.
Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary
We have to stand together and fight for investment and growth, not managed decline, on our railways. @MickWhelanASLEF at #TUC23 pic.twitter.com/xBSOkfYh3r
— ASLEF (@ASLEFunion) September 11, 2023
No response from government since April
Transport secretary Mark Harper has dismissed the strikes as “cynical” and “politically motivated,” while the union says they have had no response from the Harper, nor from rail minister, Huw Merriman, since April 2023.
Meanwhile the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the contracted train operators, has insisted that rail workers cannot receive a pay rise without accepting “necessary, sensible reforms that would enhance services for our passengers,” adding, “We ask the Aslef leadership and executive to recognise the very real financial challenge the industry is facing and work with us to deliver a more reliable and robust railway for the future.”
