A new round of train strikes has been announced by drivers’ union Aslef starting between 2-8 December and comprising walkouts and ‘rolling’ action.
An overtime ban will also be in place between 1-9 December.
Hospitality trade groups immediately criticised the move, saying it would hit the sector in the middle of its crucial Christmas party season and cost the sector up to £800 million.
"Hospitality businesses rely on revenue made during the busy festive period to see them through the fallow months of January to March, so it's essential strikes during December are avoided," said boss Kate Nicholls.
Rail unions have been battling the train operators for more pay for 18 months with Aslef alone holding 14 one-day strikes so far.
Operators group the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said the new strikes were "wholly unnecessary" but Mick Whelan, Alef’s general secretary, said it was a “clear rejection” of what drivers have been offered so far.
“We are determined to win this dispute," he added.
In April, drivers were offered a 4% wage rise backdated for 2022 and a further 4% rise for 2023 accompanied by changes in working practices, an offer that has been rejected.
Days and operators will be affected as follows:
December 2 – EMR and LNER
December 3 – Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, Great Northern Thameslink and WMT
December 5 – C2C and Greater Anglia
December 6 – Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, the SWR mainline and depot and on the Island Line
December 7 – CrossCountry and GWR
December 8 – Northern and TPT
December 1-9 – All Aslef members will refuse to work overtime from Friday, December 1 to Saturday, December 9.