Train drivers' union Aslef has announced a wave of strikes to take place over the next week as a long-running and bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions rumbles on. Union members across the country will walk out on a range of days between December 2-8.
Each day a different part of the country will be targeted. The union is also holding an overtime ban from December 1-9. Aslef says it is seeking a no-strings pay rise for train drivers who have 'not had an increase in salary for four-and-a-half years'.
Mick Whelan, Aslef's general secretary, said: "We are determined to win this dispute and get a significant pay rise for train drivers who have not had an increase since 2019 while the cost of living, in that time, has soared. Our members have spoken and we know what they think.
"Every time they vote – and they have voted overwhelmingly – for strike action in pursuit of a proper pay rise it is a clear rejection of the offer that was made in April. The RDG's offer – a land grab for all our terms and conditions – was made in the full knowledge that it couldn’t – and wouldn’t – be accepted."
A spokesperson for Rail Delivery Group said: "This unnecessary and avoidable industrial action called by the Aslef leadership has been targeted to disrupt customers and businesses ahead of the vital festive period, where people will be attending events and catching up with friends and loved ones. It will also inflict further damage on an industry that is receiving up to an additional £175 million a month in taxpayer cash to keep services running, following the Covid downturn.
"As the level of service varies across the country, our advice is to check before you travel and follow the latest travel information. Customers with Advance, Anytime or Off-Peak tickets for travel between Saturday 2 December – Friday 8 December can instead use their tickets any time between Friday 1 December up until Tuesday 12 December. Those with Advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed, or rescheduled.
“It doesn’t have to be this way. The Aslef leadership are blocking a fair and affordable offer made by the industry in the Spring that would take average driver base salaries for a four-day week from £60,000 to nearly £65,000. We urge them to put it to its members, give Christmas back to our customers and end this damaging industrial dispute."
How the strikes will affect Greater Manchester:
December 3 – Avanti West Coast
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There will be no Avanti West Coast services - the main route between Manchester and London - on December 3, the firm has said. With strike action also affecting West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway services on the same day, customers are advised to either claim a refund, seek alternative transport, or rearrange their travel for an different date.
There will also be 'amended timetables' on December 2, 5 and 9 with services that do run expected to be very busy.
Andy Mellors, managing director at Avanti West Coast, said: "At a time when we should be welcoming people back to the railway, its disappointing once again to be asking our customers not to travel. We totally understand their frustration and can only apologise for the disruption to their plans.
"We’d encourage those able to do so, to take advantage of the ticket easement, and change their day of travel. Alternatively, customers are entitled to a full fee-free refund."
December 8 – Northern and TransPennine
Northern will not be running any of its 2,500 daily services on December 8. It is also advising passengers to check before they travel between December 1 and 9.
Tricia Williams, chief operating officer, said: "This strike by ASLEF will have a significant impact on our customer's ability to get where they want to be. Unfortunately, our advice is that Northern customers should not attempt to travel on Friday 8 December and should make alternative arrangements.
"Given that ASLEF has organised multiple strikes on different days for individual train operators, people travelling with Northern to connect onto other services across the country between December 1-9 should double check all legs of their journey before attempting to travel. We can only apologise to customers for the inevitable disruption this action by ASLEF will cause."
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TransPennine Express say the strike will 'cause significant disruption' to services. A statement on the TPE website says: "We will do all we can to keep you informed about the impact on our services and we apologise for any disruption to your journey.
"Disruption is also likely on days before and after strike action. You are advised to plan carefully for any rail journeys as services may start later and finish earlier than usual."