Rail passengers face further disruption during the week of May Bank Holiday, as drivers’ unions called for more strikes and an overtime ban. Staff at 16 train companies will take part in a series of rolling one-day walkouts between May 7 and 9 over a range of issues, particularly pay and working conditions. An overtime ban will also take place between May 6 and 11. The action is likely to result in delays and cancellations, with passengers advised to check their journeys in advance. The Bank Holiday falls on May 6 this year.
Aslef, the train drivers’ union, stated that it is seeking a better deal for its members and claimed that drivers are being asked to sacrifice working conditions in exchange for wage increases. Drivers from multiple train companies are predicted to strike on different days. The union first began striking in July 2022 but little progress has been made between Aslef and the rail companies to resolve the ongoing dispute. The most recent pay deal was rejected in April 2023 which included 4% pay rises for two consecutive years. Accepting the offer meant that drivers would have to agree to industry-wide changes to training and negotiate changes to work patterns at individual operators.
Whilst the government insists that the offer be put to members in a vote, the industry group negotiating on behalf of the rail companies said any deal must be fair to taxpayers who fund the railway with subsidies worth billions annually. Aslef argues that members were never going to accept proposed changes to terms and conditions for the pay rise on offer. It believes there must be a better offer.
The train drivers’ dispute has led to a deadlock, leaving passengers stranded between the two parties. Each new strike announced leads to the public sounding their frustration, government officials, and industry leaders. There is no clear resolution in sight, and it is difficult to see how it will come before the next general election. Regardless of who wins the election, it remains unclear if there will be any change in approach to end the dispute
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More