When are the next train and tube strikes? How ASLEF union action in July & August 2024 will affect commutes and travel
TRAIN drivers union ASLEF say commuters should prepare for more chaos as their threat of six months of strike action continues.
Here is everything you need to know about the risk of disruption in July and August 2024.
When are the next train strikes?
There have been no train strikes announced as of July 2024.
However, with Aslef voting in February to continue striking for six months, the prospect of ongoing disruption is possible.
Unions need to give two weeks’ notice of any planned strike action.
The Conservatives introduced a law to ensure a minimum level of service is running during rail strikes.
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Aslef have announced 'action short of strike' industrial action for the whole of July.
This means that most services will run as usual, but there may be a higher number of short notice cancellations.
This could impact the last trains of the day so it's important that you double check that your train is running before you travel.
When are the next Tube strikes?
There are no London Underground strikes planned any time soon.
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However, there is a planned strike by Unite members on the trams that serve stations between Wimbledon and Croydon.
This will take place between 8pm on Thursday July 11, and 6am on Monday July 15.
TfL have said that levels of disruption will vary each day and there will be no services in some places.
Is Eurostar affected by train strikes?
Eurostar has said that potential strikes will not affect its timetable.
But it's important always to double-check your journey if you are getting a connection within the UK.
Be sure to check if your transport is still running before you leave for the journey and always allow extra time on days where there are strikes.
Can I get my money back for strike days?
If there is a strike on the day you plan to travel, rail passengers with advance tickets can get refunds.
This is only if the train they booked is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled due to strikes.
If passengers have a return ticket they may also be entitled to a fee-free refund if part of the journey is cancelled.
Season ticket holders who cannot travel can claim 100 per cent compensation for strike dates.
What are the strikes about?
Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen aka Aslef is asking for better pay for its train drivers.
The union say drivers have not had a pay rise for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019.
Its members voted overwhelmingly in February to continue industrial action.
We first balloted for industrial action in June 2022, after three years without a pay rise.
Mick Whelan
General secretary Mick Whelan described the year-old offer of a 4 per cent pay rise followed by another 4 per cent increase as "risible" and "dead in the water".
He said: "We first balloted for industrial action in June 2022, after three years without a pay rise. It took eight one-day strikes to persuade the train operating companies (Tocs) to come to the table and talk.
"Our negotiating team met the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) on eight occasions - the last being on Wednesday 26 April last year.
"That was followed by the Tocs' 'land grab' for all our terms & conditions on Thursday 27 April - which was immediately rejected.
"Since then, train drivers have voted, again and again, to take action to get a pay rise.
He said the dispute had now cost more than £2billion, a fraction of which could have resolved the dispute.
Mr Whelan also said Aslef members remained solidly behind the campaign, and in many cases wanted to go "harder and faster" because of the lack of progression.
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A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Aslef is the only rail union continuing to strike, targeting passengers and preventing their own members from voting on the pay offer that remains on the table.
"Having resolved disputes with all other rail unions, the Transport Secretary and rail minister have ensured that a pay offer is on the table - taking train drivers' average salaries from £60,000 up to £65,000."
What train lines will be affected?
When ASLEF workers go on a nationwide strike, these are the lines that could be impacted:
- Avanti West Coast
- CrossCountry
- East Midlands Railway
- Great Western Railway
- LNER
- TransPennine Express
- C2C
- Greater Anglia
- GTR (Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink)
- Southeastern
- South Western Railway
- Chiltern Railways
- Northern Trains
- West Midlands Railway