UK rail travellers are facing yet another round of disruptive strikes after train drivers’ union ASLEF announced more industrial action in early May.
The long-running dispute over pay, conditions and jobs will now see ASLEF members at 16 train operating companies walk out in a series of one-day strikes from 7-9 May.
ASLEF, which started holding strikes in July 2022, previously staged rolling stoppages at the same train operators from 5-8 April causing major disruption to the UK rail network.
The next ASLEF strikes will take place as follows:
7 May: c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway and SWR Island Line
8 May: Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains
9 May: LNER, Northern Trains and TransPennine Trains
Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general secretary, said its members had “voted again and again” to take strike action after going without a pay increase for five years. The union has been unable to reach a deal with the train operators after rejecting a previous “risible” offer made last year.
“Drivers would not vote to strike if they thought an offer was acceptable. They don't and that offer – now a year old – is dead in the water,” added Whelan.
As part of the latest industrial action, ASLEF members will also refuse to work overtime from 6-11 May, which is likely to create more disruption to train services.
A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the train operators, said: "This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the ASLEF leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses once again, while further damaging the railway at a time when taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54 million a week just to keep services running.
“We continue to seek a fair agreement with the ASLEF leadership which both rewards our people, gives our customers more reliable services and makes sure the railway isn’t taking more than its fair share from taxpayers.”
ASLEF’s announcement of more strikes came just hours after fellow union Unite revealed that refuelling workers at London Heathrow airport would strike in early May as part of dispute with aviation fuel firm AFS.