September 1st 2023.
Rail unions have been on strike for over a year now, causing disruption and chaos to plans across the country. Despite the Government offering an olive branch to some public sector workers earlier in the summer, the cost of living crisis has worsened and no deal has been reached with the rail unions.
Today, Friday 1 September, train drivers represented by the Aslef union have gone on strike, leading to the majority of the rail network being shut down. Depending on the operator, some may be unable to run any trains while others will offer a reduced service.
The strikes are set to continue over the weekend, with Aslef and RMT union workers striking tomorrow, September 2. And further disruption is likely as the unions impose a ban on workers working overtime.
Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, has said ‘we don’t want to take this action but the train companies, and the government which stands behind them, have forced us into this place because they refuse to sit down and talk to us and have not made a fair and sensible pay offer to train drivers who have not had one for four years – since 2019 – while prices have soared in that time by more than 12%.’
The unions have criticised the Government for not offering a solution to the problem. Whelan explains ‘the government appears happy to let passengers – and businesses – suffer in the mistaken belief that they can bully us into submission. They don’t care about passengers – or Britain’s railway – but they will not break us.’
It’s not clear when the strike action will end, but for now, passengers and businesses can check how their journeys are affected using the online National Rail Journey Planner. You can also find full information on each operator’s website and the links provided.
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