Train driver union ASLEF has announced a fresh wave of strikes to hit the capital’s railway services next month. Members are now scheduled to walk out on Tuesday, May 7, Wednesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 9.
It comes as part of a dispute between the union and the Government. ASLEF says that train drivers have not had an increase in salary for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019.
Officials highlight that the cost of living has ‘increased significantly’ in that time. ASLEF says that its members in February voted ‘overwhelmingly’ to take industrial action.
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The union also claims that it asked the train operating companies to ‘come to the table and talk’, but they ‘refused’.
Full breakdown of announced strikes
- Tuesday, May 7 – c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line and depot drivers and SWR Island Line
- Wednesday, May 8 – Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway; and West Midlands Trains
- Thursday, May 9 – LNER, Northern Trains, and TransPennine Trains
ASLEF also says that members will also refuse to work non-contractual overtime from Monday, May 6, to Saturday, May 11.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the UK’s private train operators, said of previous ASLEF strike action earlier this month: “We are sorry that this round of strikes called by the ASLEF leadership risk disrupting journeys.
“While we are doing all we can to keep trains running and we will work with our industry partners to keep as many trains running as possible, unfortunately there will be reduced services […] Our advice is to check before you travel and follow the latest travel information.”
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