- ASLEF extends train strike
- Overwhelming support for action
- Prolonged pay dispute continues
The announcement coincides with the commencement of a week-long prohibition on overtime for train drivers, expected to disrupt services throughout England.
ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, declared that its members have overwhelmingly voted to extend strike action for the next six months in their prolonged pay dispute.
Re-voting twelve train operators in England resulted in unanimous support for industrial action from each participant.
General Secretary Mick Whelan stated, “Our commitment is to the long term.” Our members, who have gone nearly five years without a pay rise, insist that the train companies and the supporting Conservative government take necessary steps to rectify the situation.
Since the expiration of these pay agreements in the spring and summer of 2019, the cost of living has risen significantly.
“Executives of companies, along with Conservative MPs and government ministers, have seen salary increases.” “Expecting our members to work equally hard for something significantly less in reality is both unrealistic and unjust.”
The announcement comes one week before the start of a week-long overtime ban for train drivers, expected to disrupt services throughout England.
Commencing on Saturday, a series of strikes could impact certain services.
Yesterday, Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) union members accepted an offer from train companies, including job security guarantees and a 5% retroactive pay increase for 2022-2023.
The agreement results in withdrawing the RMT’s mandate to strike, meaning that union members will only engage in further walkouts at least the spring of next year.
Government and Union Standoff
However, according to Mr Whelan, the ASLEF union has yet to meet with Transport Secretary Mark Harper since December 2022, rail minister Huw Merriman since January, or the private sector train operators for whom its members work since April.
He stated, “We are willing to negotiate, but the government and train companies must realise that this dispute cannot be resolved by pressuring our members to accept inferior working conditions.”
“Passenger misery increases.”
In response to the announcement, Mr Merriman stated that ASLEF is the only rail union that has yet to extend an offer to its members and is the only union still on strike.
He mentioned that they are choosing to exacerbate the suffering of passengers and the hospitality industry during this holiday season.
The long-considered fair and reasonable offer would increase the average train driver’s salary for a 35-hour, four-day week to £65,000.
The ASLEF leadership should emulate the conduct of all other rail unions and grant their members an opportunity to provide input regarding the offer above.
Additionally, Mr Harper has urged ASLEF to emulate the conduct of other labour unions.
The train drivers’ union ASLEF continues to prevent its members from having a say on the offer; he stated on Thursday that ASLEF should follow the RMT’s example and allow its members to have a voice.
