New rail strike dates set as row goes on

Train drivers' trade union ASLEF has announced new strike action in an ongoing row over pay.

Drivers, who are predominantly members of the union, will participate in a series of one-day strikes and a six-day overtime ban at the 16 passenger operators still in dispute.

The row is centred around securing a pay rise for train drivers who the union says have not seen an increase in salary for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019.

Despite members voting overwhelmingly in February to take industrial action, ASLEF claims train operating companies refused to engage in discussions when approached by the union.

Mick Whelan, ASLEF's general secretary said: "It's been a year since we sat in a room with the train companies and a year since we rejected the laughable offer they made, which they admitted privately was designed to be rejected."

Members will walk out at c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line and depot drivers, and SWR Island Line on Tuesday 7 May; at Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway; and West Midlands Trains on Wednesday 8 May; and at LNER, Northern Trains, and TransPennine Trains on Thursday 9 May.

Members will also refuse to work non-contractual overtime from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 May.