Train passengers are expected to face disruption on Saturday as members of the Aslef union in the UK are staging a strike over pay and conditions. As a result, fewer than half of the trains are going to operate. Service levels are expected to vary throughout England, with some journeys in Scotland and Wales also being affected. Critically, businesses have called for an immediate resolution to the ongoing dispute within the rail industry, which has been going on for around a year. Some journeys might be subject to last-minute cancellations, so passengers are suggested to check the train schedule before travelling.
Moreover, Aslef members are also planning to strike on Wednesday, the 4th of October and are implementing a five-day overtime ban between next Monday and Friday. To emphasize the matter, 37 pubs and restaurants have signed a letter, along with UKHospitality – the industry association, to Transport Secretary Mark Harper, train operators, and unions. They suggest that the strikes could cost the sector up to £400m. Rick Stein, Revolution Bars, Fuller’s, and Greene King have also asked everyone involved in the dispute to make a public commitment that no one will be striking during Christmas.
In response to the letter, Aslef’s Secretary General, Mick Whelan, said he would not rule out further strike action during the Christmas period, adding that ‘no one’s interested, they don’t want a resolution’ even though the union is willing to talk to rail companies. Train companies have mentioned that service levels will vary across England, and some journeys in Scotland and Wales will also be affected. Workers from over 14 train companies are expected to strike on Saturday.
Amid this, the concern over many, the Conservative Party’s annual conference, will begin in Manchester on Sunday, and it is expected to discuss the issues in the rail industry amid speculation that the Birmingham to Manchester part of the HS2 rail link may be canceled. Network Rail has anticipated “significant disruption” and suggested that services are also expected to commence later on the day following a full strike day. Network Rail even stated that customers having advance, anytime, or off-peak tickets can use their tickets up to and including Tuesday 3rd October. Besides, network rails also offer fee-free refunds or exchanges for those who choose not to travel on strike days. Aslef has rejected proposals in April, which involved pay rises of 4% two years in a row, in exchange for changes to ways of working
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