Train drivers from fifteen rail operating companies will strike on 5 January Aslef union said today, in action co-ordinated with walkouts by National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) members.
A bout of 48-hour strikes by RMT members were already due to take place on 3 and 6 January, meaning commuters will face at least five continuous days of disruption on the railways.
‘We don’t want to go on strike but the companies have pushed us into this place. They have not offered our members at these companies a penny – and these are people who have not had an increase since April 2019.' - @MickWhelanASLEF
— ASLEF (@ASLEFunion) December 20, 2022
“The way to stop this is for the companies to make a serious and sensible offer and for the government not to put a spoke in the wheels,” said Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan.
Citing high inflation rates, Whelan added: “The ball is now firmly in the train companies’ court.
“We are calling on the government to help – and not hinder – the negotiating process.”
Meanwhile, a Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: “We can only apologise to passengers and to the many businesses who will be hit by this damaging disruption."
Aslef members have launched a series of strikes this year over pay and conditions, staging five days worth of walkouts since July.
Walkouts by Aslef members look set to continue into the new year and for the “long haul,” the union said.
Aslef has agreed deals with 12 companies this year, including Eurostar, ScotRail and Transport for Wales.
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