Aslef Whelan says the 4 percent payout offer was «clearly not meant to be accepted.» Credit: HENRY NICHOLLS/REUTERS
Rail passengers will face further disruptions to travel over the next six months after train drivers voted to continue their strike over their longstanding wage dispute.
In addition, the train drivers of 16 rail operators will refuse to work overtime from Monday, July 3 to Saturday, July 8, the Aslef union announced.
General Secretary Mick Whelan said: “Once again, our members have decided that we're in this for the long haul. Train drivers are deeply outraged that their employers and the government are not negotiating in good faith and blame drivers for their inability to effectively manage services and the rail industry.
“Aslef members, the key workers who helped our country weather the pandemic, are simply asking for fair pay so they can afford to keep up with their spending in this government-created cost-of-living crisis.”
Here's the advice National Rail for travelers:
Tips for traveling during a train strike
National Rail warns passengers that «significant disruptions» are expected on strike days. Traffic is also likely to be interrupted and start later the next day.
The National Railway advised passengers:
- Use a travel planner. Passengers should check the information shortly before the date of each strike.
- Use the Live Trains page for the most up-to-date information on arrivals and departures.
- Plan ahead and check in advance to travel. This includes checking your entire journey, especially if you are traveling on the first and last train on strike days.
On which days does the overtime ban apply?
The overtime ban on Aslef train drivers, which could result in last-minute cancellations, will be in effect for six days, from Monday 3 July to Saturday 8 July.
Which rail companies are affected?
The level of disruption from the ban on overtime will vary for different operators. Affected railway companies:
- Avanti West Coast
- Chiltern Railways
- Cross Country
- East Midlands Railway < li>Greater England
- GWR
- GTR Great Northern Thameslink
- Island Line
- LNER
- Northern Trains
- South Eastern
- Southern
- Gatwick Express
- South Western Main Line
- SWR depot drivers
- TransPennine Express
- West Midlands trains.
Liverpool's Lime Street will be the main destination for Eurovision fans later this month. Credit: Eleanor Barlow/PA Wire Why are Aslef drivers on strike?
The train drivers union has been embroiled in a year-long wage dispute and has already gone on strike several times since last summer.
The RDG figure suggested a 4% increase in 2022 and then another 4% in 2023.< /p>
Mr. Whelan of Aslef said the proposal was «clearly not meant to be passed» as inflation is much higher, meaning the proposal represents a pay cut in real terms.
< img src="/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/fbb0d57f9243d14728111da2230e5d28.jpg" />General Secretary Mick Whelan Aslefa rejected a pay offer presented to the union because in real terms it meant a pay cut. Photo: Dinendra Haria/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images. , he added.
To qualify for the first 4 percent increase, companies need to make a commitment to drivers to learn new routes faster to help fill service gaps, and use technology to train new staff faster.
Second year of salary hike will depend on the «successful completion» of reform negotiations whereby drivers who work on Sundays will be required to work under contract unless there is an alternative cover.
The RDG said the change is vital as leisure travel has recovered much stronger than commuter and business travel and is now at 116% of pre-COVID-19 levels.
The group also demanded so that control of work schedules and training is returned “in the hands of the employers”.
Do you support the ASLEF drivers' strike?
However, the machinists' union said the 8% offer over two years, which would raise the average machinist's salary from about £60,000 to just under £65,000, was not enough.
Since then inflation is mostly in double digits. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in July last year, this figure remained at 10.4% in March.
This means that the pay offer will continue to be a significant reduction in wages in real terms.
The RDG spokesman said: «Further strikes are completely unnecessary, they will only increase the pressure on the industry, which is already facing an acute financial crisis.»
This article is updated daily with the latest news.
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