Train strikes: Check the list of dates; affected lines and more

ASLEF's train drivers have decided to go on strike over long pending demands for better pay in December. Between December 2 and 8, union members at sixteen train operating companies in England will stage walkouts on various days. And will also not work any overtime from December 1 to 9.

Services to be affected by strikes:

December 2, Saturday
East Midlands Railway and London North Eastern Railway


December 3, Sunday
Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, Great Northern Thameslink, and West Midlands Trains

December 5, Tuesday
C2C and Greater Anglia,

December 6, Wednesday
Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway (main line and depot) and Island Line

December 7, Thursday
CrossCountry, and Great Western Railway

December, 8 Friday
Northern, and TPT
Meanwhile, those traveling by train can stay informed about the running of trains by using the National Rail's journey planner.

Reasons for the strikes

ASLEF said that it rejected the two-year offer of 4% in 2022 and an additional 4% this year was too low and would be subject to the changes in terms and conditions.

The union's only current dispute is with English train companies, as it has already reached wage hike agreements with 14 businesses in the last year, including freight operators, Eurostar, and passenger operators in Scotland and Wales.

The strike was announced shortly after the RMT union, whose members operate the London Underground, confirmed that it had reached a deal with train companies that might end their strikes.

Reactions about the strikes

Mick Whelan, the union's general secretary said that the union will win and get a pay hike for train drivers, who have been awaiting a hike since 2019, while the cost of living has soared.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), representing the train companies, said that the latest offer was "fair and affordable" and would take average driver salaries from £60,000 to nearly £65,000.

Meanwhile, the government and train operators have slammed ASLEF for not putting its members' latest pay offer to a vote.

However, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said "There is, most people think, a perfectly fair and reasonable offer on the table and I genuinely don't understand why ASLEF won't put it to their members".

FAQs:

What is ASLEF and why is it in the news?
ASLEF is a British trade union representing drivers of trains including services such as the London Underground. The union is in the news due to a strike call demanding a hike in pay.

When will the train drivers’ strike begin?
The train drivers strike will begin on December 2, and continue till December 8. The union members at sixteen train operating companies in England will stage walkouts on different days.