Train drivers will resume their strikes next month as part of a long-running dispute over pay.
Strikes are planned for the period between 1 October and 5 October, and drivers at 12 rail companies are set to strike if negotiations are unsuccessful. A planned strike by drivers on September 15 was called off as a mark of respect following the Queen’s death.
The new dates are likely to disrupt those travelling to and from the Conservative Party Conference, which is set to take place in Birmingham from 2 October to 5 October. The drivers’ union Aslef will not be making a public comment until after the former monarch’s funeral on Monday.
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The strikes will impact Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains, LNER, and TransPennine Express, as well as Chiltern Railways, Greater Anglia, London Overground, Northern, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains.
Other cancelled strikes, including planned action for TSSA union members at nine train companies to take part in a 24-hour strike starting at midday on 26 September, as well as potential strikes from other sectors, including post and telecoms, are also set to resume.
Speaking about the cancelled September 15 strikes, Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general secretary, said "We regret that, once again, passengers are going to be inconvenienced, because we don’t want to go on strike – withdrawing our labour, although a fundamental human right, is always a last resort for a trade union – but the train companies have forced our hand.
"They want train drivers to take a real terms pay cut – to work just as hard this year as last, but for 10% less.
"Because inflation is now in double figures and heading higher – much higher, according to some forecasts – and yet the train companies have offered us nothing.
"And this for train drivers who kept Britain moving – key workers and goods around the country – throughout the pandemic and who have not had an increase in salary since 2019."
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