Rail strikes: train drivers’ union names three more dates in May and June
Train drivers’ union Aslef has announced three more days of rail strikes in May and June, dashing hopes that the long running dispute could be coming to an end.
Drivers at England’s government-contracted train operating companies will stage three separate 24-hour strikes after the union rejected what it called a “risible” 4% pay offer.
The strikes are likely to stop most, if not all, trains at the affected companies, which include the main intercity operators and commuter services around England, and also some cross-border services to cities and towns in Scotland and Wales.
The strikes will take place on Friday 12 May, Wednesday 31 May, and Saturday 3 June, the day of the FA Cup final when many fans will be travelling from the north-west to London to see two Manchester teams play at Wembley.
The affected companies are Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Great Western Railway; Greater Anglia; GTR – Great Northern and Thameslink; LNER; Northern; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway; SWR depot drivers; SWR Island Line; TransPennine Express; and West Midlands Trains.
Aslef’s general secretary, Mick Whelan, said: “Our executive committee met this morning and rejected a risible proposal we received from the Rail Delivery Group.
”The proposal – of just 4% – was clearly not designed to be accepted as inflation is still running north of 10% and our members at these companies have not had an increase for four years.”
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