Fresh strikes and overtime ban announced by train drivers in ongoing pay row

15 January 2024 , 11:36

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Fresh strike action will take place on the railways in a long-running dispute over pay (Image: Getty Images)

Train drivers will stage fresh strikes across 16 rail operators and take part in an overtime ban from the end of the month in a long-running pay dispute.

Members of the Aslef union will take part in rolling walkouts between Tuesday, 30 January and Monday, 5 February - affecting different operators each day across England, Wales and Scotland. Drivers will also refuse to work overtime for nine days between Monday, 29 January and Tuesday, 6 February.

The dispute has been running since June 2022 - with 14 one-day walkouts taking place during the 20-month row.

Aslef General Secretary Mick Whelan said: "We have given the Government every opportunity to come to the table but it is now a year since we had any contact from the Department for Transport. It’s clear they do not want to resolve this dispute.

"Many members have now not had a single penny increase in pay for half a decade, during which time inflation has soared and, with it, the cost of living. We didn’t ask for an increase during the pandemic, when we worked through lockdown, as key workers, risking our lives, to move goods around the country and enable NHS and other workers to get to work."

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Mr Whelan accused the Government of bringing in minimum service level laws to limit strikes after it failed to force workers to back down. He added: "There is, frankly, no excuse for all this nonsense. The government and the TOCs should do the right thing and come to the table with a realistic offer so we can end this dispute and work together to ensure a future for our railways."

Downing Street said the decision was "extremely disappointing" for commuters. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Rail companies have made a fair and reasonable offer and we would encourage them to step back from this action."

See which train companies are affected

• Tuesday 30 January: Members will walk out at Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, GTR Thameslink, South Western Railway main line and depot drivers, and SWR Island Line

• Wednesday 31 January: Members will walk out at Northern Trains and TransPennine Trains

• Friday 2 February: Members will walk out at C2C, Greater Anglia, and LNER

• Saturday 3 February: Members will walk out at Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, and West Midlands Trains

• Monday 5 February: Members will walk out at Chiltern, CrossCountry, and GWR

Members will also refuse to work their rest days from Monday 29 January to Tuesday 6 February.

Lizzy Buchan