August 5th 2023.
Train strikes have been a frequent occurrence in 2023, causing disruption to many travelers, including commuters to work and those attending major events such as the FA Cup final and Brighton Pride. The train drivers' union, Aslef, have implemented an overtime ban which is causing multiple lines to be affected. Unions have warned that the strikes and industrial action could possibly last for five years as negotiations remain deadlocked.
The current overtime ban is scheduled to continue today, Saturday August 5, and another overtime ban is set to follow from Monday, August 7 to Saturday August 12. Speaking about the strikes, Aslef’s general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We don’t want to take this action – because we don’t want people to be inconvenienced – 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. They 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%.”
As people return from summer holidays and children go back to school in September, the question arises of whether there will be any further rail strikes. At present, there are no planned rail strikes or industrial action set for September, but unions are obliged to give two weeks’ notice of strike action, and both the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers and Aslef could do so, after members of both voted in favour of continued industrial action.
Aslef’s Mick Whelan has warned that action could continue for years until a settlement is reached. He said there is ‘no waning in enthusiasm’ from members for more strikes. The Rail Delivery Group said the strikes were ‘totally unnecessary’, adding: ‘Until the union leadership and executive is united in what it wants and engages in good faith with the 30% shortfall in revenue the industry is continuing to grapple with post covid, it is difficult to move forward.’
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘My team of negotiators and I are available 24/7 for talks with the train operating companies and government ministers. Quite incredibly neither party has made any attempt whatsoever to arrange any meetings or put forward a decent offer that can help us reach a negotiated solution. The government continues to shackle the companies and will not allow them to put forward a package that can settle this dispute.’
The dispute is ultimately over pay and conditions, and it is uncertain whether the strikes will continue into September. The train companies affected by the Aslef overtime ban are Chiltern Railways, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, South Western Railway, Thameslink, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, London Northwestern Railway, Northern, TransPennine Express, and West Midlands Railway.
It is worth keeping an eye on the news for any updates and changes to the current situation. Until a resolution is reached, travelers should remain prepared for possible strikes and plan ahead accordingly.
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