Friday, September 1, 2023
A major strike is set to disrupt train services in the UK, with members of the train drivers’ union Aslef from more than a dozen train companies walking out on Friday and refusing to work overtime on Saturday.
Additionally, up to 20,000 members of the RMT union at 14 operators will also strike on Saturday as part of an ongoing dispute. The strikes coincide with the end of a consultation on plans to close most ticket offices in England.
Several train operators, including Northern, Avanti West Coast, Transpennine, Southern, and Thameslink, will provide no services on Friday, and on Saturday, fewer than half of the trains will be running, with some facing short-notice cancellations. The Rail Delivery Group has advised passengers to check for service updates and plan their journeys accordingly.
The strikes, which have been ongoing since last summer, have severely disrupted the rail network, with both Aslef and the RMT union pushing for better pay and working conditions. Aslef’s general secretary, Mick Whelan, expressed the likelihood of further industrial action in the autumn. The RMT also plans to re-ballot its workers for further strikes this autumn and winter.
The rail industry has faced financial challenges due to changing passenger habits during the pandemic. The government has called for cost-cutting measures, leading to conflicts with unions. Despite government claims of offering “fair and reasonable” deals, unions argue that any pay offers should address the rising cost of living, with inflation rates exceeding the Bank of England’s target.
The strikes have drawn criticism from the Department for Transport, which sees them as causing unnecessary disruption and delaying reforms aimed at benefiting passengers, rail workers, and taxpayers.
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