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Train Drivers Across England To Start Three-Day Strike

By Nithya Bose in Business News, posted April 5, 2024

England will face travel chaos as train drivers from five rail operators are to begin a three-day strike.

The action, orchestrated by the Aslef union, starts with a 24-hour strike.

It’ll affect Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, and West Midlands Railway.

These operators have announced a stoppage in services for today (Friday, April 5) with potential spillover effects running into Saturday, April 6.

The strike primarily disrupts routes connecting London with the north-west and Glasgow, particularly impacting Avanti’s north-west main line services.

While drivers in Scotland and Wales are not striking, cross-border services will face interruptions.

This strike is part of a broader dispute over pay and conditions.

Aslef members also enforced an overtime ban from Thursday to Saturday and again the following Monday and Tuesday.

Which will result in last-minute cancellations and further disruptions.

Following Friday’s strike, additional actions are planned for Saturday and Monday.

This action will affect different operators each day, culminating in widespread cancellations across several networks.

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The dispute began in 2022, and drivers have staged 13 one-day strikes since a 96 percent vote in favor of industrial action last month.

Aslef’s general secretary, Mick Whelan, said: “Our members voted overwhelmingly – yet again – for strike action.”

He said the votes showed “a clear rejection by train drivers of the ridiculous offer put to us in April last year by [the train operators’ body] the Rail Delivery Group, which knew that offer would be rejected because a land grab for all the terms and conditions we have negotiated over the years would never be accepted by our members.”

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said: “We are sorry that this round of strikes called by the Aslef leadership risks 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 between Thursday 4 April to Tuesday 9 April.

“Our advice is to check before you travel and follow the latest travel information.”

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