August 5th 2023.
This year has been filled with disruption for those travelling due to train strikes. The train drivers’ union Aslef is currently holding an overtime ban which has caused multiple lines to be affected. Unions have warned that strikes and industrial action could go on for the next five years, as negotiations with rail companies remain deadlocked.
The current overtime ban is set to last until Saturday, August 12, and Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, stated that the action was taken after they were forced into this situation due to the refusal of the train companies and the government to talk.
This brings to mind the question, will there be rail strikes in September? At the moment, there are no planned strikes for September. However, both the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers and Aslef have voted in favor of continued industrial action, and they are required to give two weeks’ notice before going on strike.
Mick Whelan has warned that action could continue for many years until a settlement is reached. He said that the union is available to talk around the clock, but the government has not allowed the companies to make a package that can settle the dispute.
Which train companies are affected by the overtime ban? Multiple companies have been affected, including 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.
The dispute is essentially about pay and conditions, and it is clear that the train companies and the government need to come together to find a resolution. Until then, it is uncertain whether there will be more strikes in the near future. Until then, it would be wise to stay informed about any updates and plan your journey accordingly.
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