Home » UK Employment news » Aslef train drivers announce strikes in December

Aslef train drivers announce strikes in December

By Nithya Bose in UK Employment news, posted November 17, 2023

Train drivers will hold a series of one-day strikes and an overtime ban across England's operating companies at the beginning of December.

Aslef, the train drivers' union, announced the strikes to start from Saturday, December 2, to Friday, December 8.

Drivers at each company will strike for 24 hours, refusing to work overtime between Friday, December 1, and Saturday, December 9.

This move creates more disruption for operators relying on rest-day working.

It follows recent signals of a potential breakthrough in the dispute between the RMT union and employers.

A pay agreement is awaiting ratification.

Row with government

The latest wave of strikes strikes appear to have been partly provoked by remarks made by the transport secretary, Mark Harper.

Harper made comments at select committee hearing on Wednesday, which the union described as “disingenuous”.

He said Aslef must put an offer rejected as “risible” by the union in April to drivers.

Aslef argues the offer is no longer on the table and has been rejected in subsequent strike votes.

Aslef's general secretary, Mick Whelan, said the union would secure a significant pay rise for drivers who haven’t got a hike since 2019.

He said: “It is disappointing that Aslef are targeting the public and hospitality businesses at the beginning of the festive period, when there is a fair and reasonable pay offer for train drivers on the table.

“Instead of going on strike, Aslef should be following in the footsteps of the other rail unions and giving their members a vote on this fair pay deal.”

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The Rail Delivery Group said the offer is still on the table.

A spokesperson said: “This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the Aslef leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses ahead of the vital festive period, while further damaging the railway.”

Train companies and strike dates

Saturday, 2 December, at East Midlands and LNER
Sunday, 3 December, at Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, Great Northern Thameslink, and West Midlands
Tuesday, 5 December, at C2C and Greater Anglia
Wednesday, 6 December, at Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, and SouthWestern
Thursday, 7 December, at CrossCountry and GWR
Friday, 8 December, at Northern and TransPennine Express

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