Rail companies have invited Aslef union for informal talks, marking the first time the two sides will meet in around a year as a long-running pay dispute drags on.
Talks are aimed at paving the way for more formal negotiations to end a dispute that started in the summer of 2022.
“We want to see an end to this dispute and in that spirit, we have written to the Aslef leadership to try and find areas of common ground that will allow us to move to formal negotiations,” said a spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, representing train companies.
Strikes set for next week will go ahead, however, adding to action taken over the last year-and-a-half.
Union members across 16 operators will go on a six-day overtime ban from the bank holiday, before three days of strikes between May 7 and 9 at different companies.
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan commented he sensed a “change of mood” following the offer of new meetings.
“We are obviously not going to say no to any attempt to hold proper negotiations,” he said.
“I believe we are nearer the end of this dispute and a resolution will come.”