Home » Business News • UK Employment news » Northern and LNER train drivers to strike over failed agreements

Northern and LNER train drivers to strike over failed agreements

By Nithya Bose in Business News, posted February 15, 2024

Train drivers at Northern and London North Eastern Railway will strike in March after the Aslef union said the rail operators consistently fail to honor agreements.

The strike, scheduled for Friday, March 1, alongside an overtime ban from 29 February to 2 March, would disrupt passenger services.

Northern operates across 500 stations in the North of England and Midlands, while LNER covers routes from London to Scotland, through Yorkshire and the North East.

The union has accused LNER of violating service agreements, such as compensating managers to operate trains during strikes.

"These companies think they can break agreements – which they freely enter into – whenever it suits them."

It also accused Northern of not adhering to procedures on issues including the alleged bullying and intimidation of union representatives.

Mick Whelan, the general secretary of Aslef, said: “We are fed up to the back teeth with the bad faith shown, day after day, week after week, and month after month by these two companies.

“We always stick to agreements which we make. These companies think they can break agreements – which they freely enter into – whenever it suits them.

“And they’re wrong. This is a shot across their bows and a sign of things to come.”

Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career

Despite the ongoing disputes, which include five years without a pay rise for drivers, Whelan emphasized the union's readiness to negotiate.

Meanwhile, Northern and LNER expressed disappointment over the strike decision, advocating for dialogue to resolve the conflict and minimise customer inconvenience.

This announcement comes as train drivers at five other rail operators have voted to extend their strike action for six months over pay and conditions.

Aslef holds live mandates for industrial action against 11 train operating companies.

The union's recent actions reflect a broader dissatisfaction with the Rail Delivery Group's proposals, with Whelan inviting transport officials to discuss a revised offer.

Follow us on X, LinkedIn, and Facebook