When are the next train strikes? Aslef union announces more walkouts
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Rail workers are set to strike again in the coming months, after an agreement on pay and conditions could not be reached.
Union Aslef confirmed there will be three more days of rail strikes starting at the end of next month – ending hopes that the year-long dispute over pay was close to being resolved.
It is believed the strikes planned will affect services for massive events such as the FA Cup Final, the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, dates from BeyonceÌ’s upcoming tour and the Lord’s cricket Test match in the capital.
Here are the details of the upcoming industrial action:
When are the next train strikes?
The train drivers’ union Aslef said it would be calling its members out on strike on Friday May 12, Wednesday May 31, and Saturday June 3.
The strike will cause chaos on FA Cup Final day, when thousands of fans of Manchester City and Manchester United are due to head to Wembley stadium.
The May 12 strike will impact people heading to Liverpool for the Eurovision song contest the following day, while the June dates will affect the BeyonceÌ concert at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and cricket fans heading to the England v Ireland test match at Lord’s.
Why are rail staff striking?
Many had believed that the talks between the union and the government would result in the end of strikes, and an agreement would be reached after almost a year of disputes, but it was not to be.
Aslef said it has sent its negotiating team to meet the different representatives of the train firms on eight occasions since February to try to resolve the dispute quickly with minimal distress, but that it had not got very far.
There have been eight rail strikes that began in July last year. The most recent Aslef walkout was on February 3.
A pay rise has been offered by the union but Aslef say that it is “risible” as it announced the walkouts and further action involving a work to rule.
The last pay offer, which was made on behalf of the Rail Delivery Group, was worth four per cent.
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan hailed this as “unacceptable at a time inflation is above 10 per cent” and said that it was a further kick in the teeth as train drivers had not had a pay rise since 2019.
He said: “We are also withdrawing non-contractual overtime from Monday 15 to Saturday 20 May inclusive, as well as on Saturday 13 May and Thursday 1 June.”
Which train companies will be affected?
The strikes in May and June are set to affect key routes in and out of London including Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, Thameslink, London North Eastern Railway, Southeastern, Southern and South Western Railway.
What have rail bosses said?
Rail bosses have hit out at the announcement, calling the idea “senseless” and asking the union to reconsider their position.
A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: “This is disappointing news for our customers and staff, more strike action is totally unnecessary and will only heap more pressure on an industry already facing an acute financial crisis.
“Senselessly targeting both the final of Eurovision and the FA cup final is disappointing for all those planning to attend.
“After many weeks of negotiations with the Aslef leadership, we made a revised and fair offer including a pay rise of eight per cent over two years.
“It would have introduced overdue, common-sense improvements already in place in parts of the network, which would will see more trains running on time for passengers. Sadly, this has been rejected.
“We urge the Aslef leadership to re-join us at the negotiating table and work with us to find a solution to the issues our industry faces and so we can give our people the pay rise we have always said we wanted to do.”
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