A second union has called a one-day strike affecting a large part of the UK’s rail network, as disruption to train services looks set to continue into the autumn.
Train drivers’ union Aslef announced the 24-hour stoppage on 15 September in a dispute over pay – just hours after fellow union TSSA announced its own strike on 26-27 September.
The Aslef strike, which will run from 00.00 to 23.59 on 15 September, will affect 12 train operating companies. The union has already held two days of action over the summer.
The strike will affect the following companies: Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, Cross Country, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railways, Hull, LNER, London Overground, Northern, Southeastern, Transpennine Express and West Midlands Trains.
Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “We regret that, once again, passengers are going to be inconvenienced. We don’t want to go on strike – withdrawing our labour, although a fundamental human right, is always a last resort for a trade union – but the train companies have forced our hand.
“We want the companies – which are making big profits and paying their chief executives enormous salaries and bonuses – to make a proper pay offer to help our members keep up with the increase in the cost of living.”
Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association, said more rail strikes would have a “devastating impact on companies of all sizes across the country” just as business travel “should be hitting its peak” in September.
“We urge the unions to work with the train companies to keep vital intercity links working so that business can continue,” added Wratten.
“The cost of living crisis is hurting us all, not just train drivers. Most businesses do not have the option to strike and cripple a country.”