Train drivers’ union Aslef announced a week-long overtime ban at the start of July, which will further disrupt much of Britain’s railways.
While the union stopped short of calling new strikes in the long-running wage dispute, the industrial action by some 12,000 drivers across 16 English train operators contracted to the Department for Transport is likely to cause further trouble for commuters.
The effects of the overtime ban, which begins Monday, July 3 through the end of Saturday, July 8, will vary among operators, but as the mass cancellations at TransPennine Express showed, many companies still rely on working on the rest day to run full service.
Trains will continue to operate normally within Wales, Scotland and London, where there is no discord between drivers, but cross-border services between cities are likely to be affected.
Ballot papers for renewing the six-month strike returned overwhelmingly in favor of the strike last week.
“Once again, we find ourselves with no alternative but to take this action,” said Mick Whelan, Secretary General of Aslive. “We have consistently come to the negotiating table in good faith to seek a resolution to this dispute.
Unfortunately, it is clear from the actions of both the train operators and the government that they do not want the dispute to end. It seems that their aims are to continue the industrial struggle and to reduce our industry.
We don’t want to disturb the public. We just want to see our members paid fairly during a cost-of-living crisis when inflation exceeds 10%, and not see our terms and conditions scrapped. It is time for the government and companies to think again and look for a solution.”
Drivers were offered a pay rise of 4% retroactive to April 2022, and a further 4% from April 2023, which Asif described as “high” given the previous pay freeze and the rate of inflation.
There were three days of strikes by the drivers and another by the RMT train operating staff in late May and early June. The RMT union also remains in contention and may call for further action.
Ministers and leaders of the railway industry said there would be no offer of a wage increase and urged both unions to put the proposals to a full vote of their members.
Aslef last week announced separate actions in Avanti West Coast and LNER in disputes with the companies. There will be a 24-hour strike in Avanti on Sunday 2 July and an ongoing overtime ban in the LNER from the beginning of July.
This Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of the RMT strike in the current dispute, with unions in the railways and other sectors vowing to continue working towards paying salaries to keep up with the cost of living.