Proactive Investors - Rail strikes are set to hit travellers across England once again this weekend and could impact a second Christmas period running, as unions and the industry continue to clash over prospective pay deals.
Travellers across railways and tubes will likely be hit for nine consecutive days from Friday, as Aslef and RMT union members carry out respective industrial action.
Aslef boss Mick Whelan said he could not write off strikes continuing through the Christmas period, commenting: “We've been doing this 16 months, stopping now is not an option."
Though industry body the Rail Delivery Group claims its current offer would lift driver’s salaries from an average of £60,000 to £65,000, no deal has been agreed yet.
“Train drivers, perfectly reasonably, want to be able to buy now what they could buy four years ago,” Whelan added, arguing the unions had been forced into strikes.
Transport for London staff are set to join the drivers from 14 rail companies as various action takes place over the coming week meanwhile, citing concerns over jobs and safety.
Upcoming industrial action:
- Friday 29 Sept: Aslef overtime ban
- Saturday 30 Sept: Aslef strike day
- Sunday 01 October: Disruption expected from the day before
- Monday 02 Oct: Aslef overtime ban
- Tuesday 03 Oct: Aslef overtime ban
- Wednesday 04 Oct: Aslef strike day, TfL strike day
- Thursday 05 Oct: Aslef overtime ban
- Friday 06 Oct: Aslef overtime ban, TfL strike day
- Saturday 07 Oct: Disruption expected from the day before
The strikes are set to coincide with the Conservative Party conference taking place between October 1 and 4 in Manchester.
Having been very vocal about the government since the dispute began in mid-2022, Whelan accused companies and ministers of not being interested in a resolution, adding the latter wanted to put the industry into a "managed decline".
"Aslef's leaders won't put this offer to their members and instead continue to strike - damaging their own industry in the process,” a Department for Transport spokesperson said meanwhile.