BETA filters Key Facts (3) Aslef (3) West Midlands Trains (2) United Kingdom (2) Mick Whelan (2) LNER (1) We’ve got a bit more from Mick Whelan on why Aslef members have decided to strike. He says: We don’t want to inconvenience passengers, our friends and families also use public transport, and we don’t want to lose money from the strike, but we have been forced into this position by the companies, who say they have been driven to this by the Tory government. Many of our members, who were the men and women who moved essential workers and goods across the country during the pandemic, have not had a pay raise since 2019. With inflation running north of 10%, that means these drivers have had their wages cut in real terms over the past three years. We want a cost of living increase, we want to be able to buy, in 2022, what we could buy in 2021. It’s not unreasonable to ask your employer to make sure you’re not worse off for three years in a row. Especially as the train companies are doing very well, thank you, outside of British Rail, with big profits, dividends for shareholders and big salaries for managers, and drivers don’t want to work more for less. Wage increases do not fuel inflation. Excessive speculation is, but the government is not asking companies to cut profits or dividend payments to help manage inflation. Wages chase prices, not raise them. We don’t see why we should skip the wage increase to keep up with inflation and help the privatized train companies make even more profits to send overseas.
Why are train drivers on strike?
The striking drivers are all members of the Aslef trade union. Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said strikes were “a last resort” but many of his members had not had a pay rise for three years despite getting through the pandemic, and the high level of inflation meant they had cuts their wages. real terms. We apologize for the inconvenience caused. We understand that this happens when we take industrial action, but it is up to the companies to fix it. Updated at 08.18 BST
Which services are affected?
White Topham As we just mentioned, West Midlands Trains is one of seven companies affected today. But these companies operate more than seven services. The other services experiencing problems are long-distance services on the LNER, which runs from London to Scotland via Leeds. This service will be significantly reduced. Major Western services will be severely curtailed. All Heathrow Express trains are canceled and no GWR services will operate west of Bristol to Wales. A minimal Greater Anglia service and only one Hull Trains service in each direction will operate. No trains will run on Southeastern, while the majority of London Overground services will also stop. Other train operators, including Southern and Thameslink, have warned that services could be crowded and disrupted as passengers switch to alternative services. Updated at 07.58 BST
The biggest train drivers’ strike in decades begins
Good morning. Across Britain, millions of people face rail disruption today as thousands of drivers from seven carriers strike in a pay dispute. The industrial action by members of the Aslef union represents the biggest strike by drivers in decades and will halt services at some train operators. Among the services affected is West Midlands Trains, which runs services to sporting venues around Birmingham, the Commonwealth Games host city. Rail bosses accused the union of targeting its action on the opening weekend of both the Games and the new season of English football. We’ll bring you the latest developments on this story throughout the day.
