A ban on Aslef Union drivers working overtime is set to hit tennis fans this week as UK railways gear up for the latest action in a long-running dispute.
Train drivers from 15 operators will forgo working any overtime between Monday and Saturday this week, likely prompting delays.
FirstGroup PLC (LSE:FGP)-owned Great Western and South Western Railway are among operators which have already warned of delays, since many companies rely on staff working extra hours to run full schedules.
Passengers heading to Wimbledon, which began on Monday, have been advised that the earliest and latest trains on industrial action days could be cancelled meanwhile.
Aslef and larger counterpart the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) have been locked in pay and condition disputes with operators and the government for over a year.
Aslef previously rejected a two year 4% pay rise for members over fears of recruitment and management changes, claiming “attempts to force [the] industry into decline”.
Aslef will run another overtime ban between 17 and 22 July too, with boss Mick Whelan arguing: “We have given the government and rail operators plenty of opportunities to come to the table but it remains clear that they do not want a resolution.”
RMT is also set to launch another round of strikes on July 20, 22 and 29, which threaten to affect golf and cricket fans heading to the Open in Liverpool and the Ashes in Manchester respectively.
Railway company representative the Rail Delivery Group claim Aslef has rejected “fair and affordable offers” in the past meanwhile.
“We ask Aslef to recognise the very real financial challenge the industry is facing and work with us to deliver a better, more reliable railway with a strong long-term future,” it added.
Reports that plans to shut most of Britain’s ticket offices would be unveiled this week have fuelled a new wave of criticism among unions all the while, as the government looks to push reform for the railways.