December train strikes: dates and services affected

I thought that the trains on strike were sorted. Why are there more of them?

Aslef's ongoing wage dispute has affected travelers over the past 18 months, and train drivers, represented by the Aslef union, voted overwhelmingly to continue the strike for the next six months, potentially causing more suffering for passengers in 2024.

Strikes have also been carried out since June 2022 by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union. But they voted overwhelmingly this week to reach an agreement that would end their long-running dispute over wages and working conditions. Under the agreement, the union will suspend strike action until at least April in exchange for a backdated payment offer that would see all members receive a one-off payment of at least £1,750 until the Christmas holidays.

Tips for traveling during train strikes

National Rail warns passengers to expect «significant disruption» on strike days.

National Rail advises passengers to:

• Use the Journey Planner. Passengers should check the times of each strike.
• Use the Live Trains page for the most up-to-date arrival and departure information.
• Plan ahead and check before travel. This includes checking your entire journey, especially if you are traveling on the first and last train on strike days.

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The Aslef union said new strikes would “increase pressure” on rail companies. and the government will increase the salaries of train drivers for the first time in more than four years.

Mick Whelan, Aslef's general secretary, said: “We're in this for the long haul. Our members, who have not received a pay rise for almost five years, are confident that the railway companies and the Conservative Party government behind them are doing the right thing.

“The cost of living has risen sharply since the spring and summer of 2019, when these payments have ended. Rail executives, as well as Tory MPs and government ministers have received pay rises. It is unrealistic and unfair to expect our members to work just as hard when in reality it will cost significantly less.

“The train drivers are tired and frustrated that their employers failed to negotiate in good faith by making an offer through the Rail Delivery Group that they knew – because we told them – would be rejected, and then blamed the drivers on the train companies.” failure to effectively manage services and the railway industry. ASLEF members, the key workers who have helped our country through the pandemic, are simply asking for a fair and decent deal.

“We have always said that we are ready to come to the negotiating table, but government and training companies must understand that this dispute will not be resolved by intimidating our members into accepting worse terms and conditions of employment.

“Looking at the determination of our members, demonstrated at all the branch meetings I have attended, and at these new voting results — as well as the solidarity they have shown on the picket line since the first votes were held in June 2022 — we call on the government to allow companies come back to the negotiating table and make a reasonable, no-strings-attached offer to our members that reflects the rising cost of living.»

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Aslef said he had successfully negotiated wage agreements over the last 12 months with 14 companies, including freight firms, public access operators, Eurostar and passenger companies in Scotland and Wales, where transport matters are referred.

He added that: “This is a dispute in England brought in Westminster by the Tory government.

“We gave the railway companies (TOC) a way out of this dispute, which they chose not to accept because the government intervened.

“We have proposed a significant overall rate increase for all drivers in all participating companies to deal with the cost of living crisis.”

“Other issues, We said that it would then be possible to have deal with each company, because the conditions in each company are different.

“Uncoupling the cars, so to speak, would give the TOC and the government a way out, and give us the opportunity to decide at the company board level any changes and performance that they want.

“Some TOC have Sundays in the work week, some don’t. One size fits all does not, cannot and will not fit all.

“We will continue to strike until the railway companies — and/or the government — sit down and negotiate with us in good faith.”