Train drivers belonging to the Aslef union will take part in three one-day strikes in early May.
Different train operating companies will be affected on different days, as follows:
- Tuesday 7 May: c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line and depot drivers, and SWR Island Line;
- Wednesday 8 May: Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway; and West Midlands Trains;
- Thursday 9 May: LNER, Northern Trains, and TransPennine Trains
The companies affected are those with whom Aslef is still in a dispute over pay. Specifically, Aslef is fighting for train drivers to receive their first salary increase since 2019.
Mick Whelan, Aslef's general secretary, said:
Our pay deals at these companies ran out in 2019. Train drivers at these TOCs have not had an increase in salary for five years. That is completely wrong. The employers — and the government — think we are going to give up and run away. They're wrong.
In addition to the individual strike days, drivers will take part in a six-day overtime ban between Monday 6 May (which is bank holiday Monday) and Saturday 11 May. This means that train operating companies may be understaffed on these days, so short-notice service cancellations are possible.
Check with individual companies for an idea of disruption expected as a result of these strikes.
