July train strikes: Week of rail disruption as drivers target school holidays with new overtime ban

Rail passengers face another week of misery this month as train drivers are to stage another week of banning overtime in their long running dispute over pay.

Aslef last month announced that its members would withdraw non-contractual overtime - known as rest-day working -  with 16 of the country’s 35 rail operators from Monday 3 July to Saturday 8 July.

Aslef has announced its members at 15 train operators will refuse to work overtime from 17 to 22 July. It follows six days of disruption this week as another overtime ban runs from 3 to 8 July.

The action will affect the fifteen train companies based in England and is expected to impact visitors to the first week of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, while the overtime ban later this month will coincide with the first day of the school summer holidays, which start on 21 July in England.

Many train firms will reduce their service levels amid the ongoing pay dispute, with passengers advised to check journeys before they travel. The companies affected by the action include:

• Avanti West Coast
• Chiltern Railways
• Cross Country
• East Midlands Railway
• Greater Anglia
• GWR
• GTR Great Northern Thameslink
• Island Line
• LNER
• Northern Trains
• Southeastern
• Southern/Gatwick Express
• South Western Railway main line
• SWR depot drivers
• TransPennine Express
• West Midlands Trains

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “We want to resolve this dispute. Train drivers don’t want to be inconveniencing the public. That’s why we have given the government and the rail operators plenty of opportunities to come to the table and talk to us, but it is clear that they do not want a resolution.

“Our members – the train drivers who keep the railway running day in, day out, from early in the morning until late at night, all the year round – have shown they are not prepared to accept the government’s attempts to force our industry into managed decline.

“Rail travel is a vital part of our country’s fight against climate change and rail connectivity is essential to the UK economy. That’s why it’s time for a fair deal and a sensible resolution so we can grow and improve our railways for the future.”

It is understood that there have been no negotiations between the union and the rail operators since action was first announced on 19 June. The dispute by train drivers centres around union members accepting an 8% pay deal over two years, dependent on reforms, and bringing drivers’ average pay to £65,000 - an offer that has already been rejected by Aslef. The union argues that staff should not have to sacrifice working conditions in return for a below inflation wage increase.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Calling a ban on overtime the same week that RMT is striking will impact families at the beginning of the summer holidays and those planning on attending the Ashes, representing a co-ordinated effort by both unions to prolong the disruption.

“The government has played its part to try and end this dispute by facilitating a fair and reasonable pay offer that would see train drivers’ already high salaries increase from an average of £60,000 to £65,000. Aslef now needs to do the right thing and put the offer to its members for a vote.”

A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group said earlier this month: “Aslef’s leadership continues to disrupt customers’ travel plans. They rejected a fair and affordable offer without putting it to their members which would take average driver base salaries for a basic salary for a four-day week without overtime from £60,000 to nearly £65,000 by the end of 2023 pay awards.

“Train companies will work hard to minimise the impact of the overtime ban but the impact of Aslef’s action will vary across the 16 train operators and customers are advised to check their travel plans before setting off. We ask Aslef to recognise the very real financial challenge the industry is facing and work with us to deliver a better railway with a strong long-term future.”