May rail strikes: How is the latest train drivers’ walk-out affecting passengers?

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Train drivers are continuing their national rail strikes into a third summer. The strikes are being carried out in a "rolling" fashion, which means that specific regions are being targeted with walk-outs during the month of May.

The Aslef union's members are stopping numerous trains from running on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of May 2024. The commuters who typically travel to their workplaces on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be affected by this strike.

The goal is to cause disturbances to the operations of the 14 train companies in England that are under the control of the UK government and overseen by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG). By implementing a series of planned strikes, they can have the biggest impact on disrupting services while minimizing the financial loss caused by lost wages.

Furthermore, the prohibition of working more than regular hours for six days is leading to more instances of cancellations between the 6th and 11th of May.

In April, commuters were impacted by the nationwide strike organized by train drivers. The protest involved a ban on overtime and intermittent regional walk-outs.

In July 2022, Aslef train drivers launched industrial action regarding their pay and working arrangements. The union is calling for a pay increase without any conditions attached. However, rail companies, who are being directed by government officials, state that any rise in pay is dependent on significant changes to working practices that will decrease the amount of public funding they receive.

Many trips were called off amid the argument, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of millions of journeys. This has caused massive financial losses to the UK economy, especially for the hospitality sector, which has suffered billions of pounds in losses.

British citizens are providing monetary support to a deteriorating and undependable railway system with a rate of £90 per second, in addition to the usual monetary aid. This means that the railway is receiving an extra £2.8 billion of public funding each year.

The argument has intensified and there hasn't been any indication of movement towards a resolution. The most recent talks occurred on April 26, 2023.

Stuck in the middle of an ongoing argument is the passenger. A quick online survey conducted by The Independent received 2,142 answers, and it shows that one-third of train commuters will decrease their travel frequency for good once the labor strike ultimately stops.

These are the important queries and responses for travelers.

Which Train Companies Are Participating?

Aslef is currently experiencing conflict with the train operating companies (TOCs) whom the UK government has contracted to provide railway services. These TOCs comprise:

is a train company that operates in the United Kingdom. They provide train services to various destinations including London, Oxford, Bristol, and Cardiff. GWR prides itself on being a modern and efficient train company, combining traditional values with modern technology to provide high-quality services. GWR also offers various features and amenities onboard their trains to enhance the travel experience of their passengers. These include comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and catering services. Passengers can also upgrade their seats to First Class for additional comfort and luxury. Overall, GWR is a reliable and convenient option for anyone looking to travel by train in the UK. With a wide range of destinations, modern facilities, and excellent customer service, GWR is a top choice for both business and leisure travelers.

Efficient Transport Providers In Southeast England

The transportation companies known as GTR are Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, and Thameslink.

The railway network called South Western Railway, which also includes the Island Line running on the Isle of Wight.

Northern & Midlands Operators With London Links

is collaborating with Network Rail and Birmingham City Council for a project that aims to decrease the carbon footprint of the railway industry. The project, called "Ride Green", seeks to promote sustainable transport choices and reduce the environmental impact of rail travel. The initiative will include a range of actions, such as encouraging customers to use low-emission modes of transport for their journeys to and from the station, increasing the number of bike parking spaces at stations and improving the integration of public transport services. Ride Green has been launched as part of West Midlands Railway's commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The initiative also supports Birmingham City Council's goals to reduce carbon emissions and encourage sustainable transport modes. In addition, Ride Green aligns with Network Rail's target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Network Rail, which manages Britain's rail infrastructure, has set out a plan to reduce emissions from its own operations and the railway network. This collaboration demonstrates the railway industry's dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and delivering sustainable transport solutions. By working together, West Midlands Railway, Network Rail and Birmingham City Council can create a greener, more sustainable future for rail travel.

Train Drivers' Strike Date?

Members of the Aslef union who are drivers have decided to go on strike according to a certain schedule:

C2C, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express, and South Western Railway are all train companies operating in the United Kingdom. They provide transportation services for passengers across the country, with their own unique routes and schedules. People can choose to travel with any of these companies for their commuting needs or to explore other parts of the UK.

The primary focus is on people who travel regularly around the city of London.

Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, West Midlands Railway and CrossCountry are all train companies.

The goal is to generate the most disturbance possible on important intercity routes and Midland commuter services.

LNER, Northern, and TransPennine Express are railway services catering to travelers along the East Coast main line and those commuting within the Northern regions of England and southern Scotland.

Effects Of Change On Operators: Predictions

The overnight train service, Night Riviera, operated by GWR that runs between London and Penzance, has been suspended and will not run until Sunday 12 May.

During the period of industrial action, the travel service known as the Gatwick Express that typically transports individuals from London to the Sussex airport will not be operating.

For alternative providers, these could be the likely ways they offer their services - but passengers must ensure to verify shortly before their intended trips. When trains are operational, the typical operating hours may be shortened.

Rail travel may be disrupted on days preceeding and following the strike. TransPennine Express advises travelers to plan their trips carefully due to the possibility of delayed and shortened services.

Greater Anglia operates services traveling to and from London Liverpool Street, connecting passengers to various destinations such as Stansted airport, Southend, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich.

Southern is operating a transportation service that shuttles between London Victoria and Gatwick airport.

Thameslink is providing a short-distance transport facility that goes back and forth between London St Pancras and Luton, encompassing both the town and airport stations.

The company Great Northern provides a shuttle transportation service that operates between two locations: London King's Cross and Cambridge.

South Western Railway operates a line that connects London Waterloo with Woking and Guildford, as well as several other surrounding areas.

Southeastern advises travelers to avoid traveling, but is continuing to operate trains along various routes. These include the high-speed line between London St Pancras and Ashford, Charing Cross to Orpington, and London Bridge to Dartford.

All the services provided by C2C have been called off.

All train services have been cancelled by five train operators, namely Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands Railway and CrossCountry.

GWR is not going to operate long-distance trains, but they will connect Reading with Oxford and Basingstoke. They will also link up Bristol with Cardiff and have some branch routes in Devon and Cornwall. According to the company, some parts of the GWR network will stay without any service, and trains that will be operating, will have a small window during the day.

The train companies Northern and TransPennine Express have decided to call off all their scheduled services. Meanwhile, LNER will be providing a skeletal service on central routes between roughly 7am and 7pm. Specifically, its primary Edinburgh-Newcastle-York-London line will have a minimum of one train per hour, with some extra trains running on the southern portion of the route.

How Does The Overtime Ban Affect You?

Many members have decided not to work their allotted rest days starting from Monday the 6th of May until Saturday the 11th of May. This may result in the cancellation of hundreds, or even thousands of trains, as many rail companies rely heavily on drivers working additional unpaid hours.

During the initial day, LNER had to cancel or shorten approximately twelve trains as a result of a deficiency of train personnel.

During the overtime ban, there will be a decrease in the timetable for Greater Anglia, Avanti West Coast, and West Midlands Railway on all days.

Avanti West Coast has announced that some of their services will be cancelled during the week of May 7th to May 11th. This is because of an overtime ban and a planned strike on Wednesday. The services to be removed from the timetable are mainly on the Manchester and Birmingham routes. However, the removals will be spread throughout the day to ensure people can still travel.

According to GWR, the decision to ban overtime will result in "some unexpected cancellations or changes to services throughout the GWR network".

Southeastern has announced that except for Tuesday 7 May, which is the day of the strike in their network, they will be running their complete service without any disruptions.

Which Train Companies Aren't Participating?

A few train companies that receive public funding will operate as per their regular schedule. These companies are ScotRail, Merseyrail, Transport for Wales, and Transport for London (which also includes Elizabeth line).

"Open-access" train companies operating on the East Coast main line such as Grand Central, Hull Trains, and Lumo will not be affected by the strike. However, due to the strike-hit companies such as LNER, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry, and Northern duplicating some of their routes, the services of these open-access operators are expected to be highly crowded during days of industrial action.

What's At Risk In The Argument?

The people who drive the trains want to be paid more money because things have become more expensive since they last got a pay raise. The Aslef union group says that certain members of their organization have not had an increase in their wages for five years.

The government requires substantial changes to the traditional work procedures to cut down expenses and lessen the massive monetary assistance given by taxpayers, before any minor salary hike can be implemented.

The way people travel has been affected by the pandemic. Ticket sales have decreased by around 20% compared to before Covid. The government, who will have to pay for any salary increase for train conductors, will need to approve any agreements made by the Department for Transport and the Treasury.

Government officials think that the employment conditions and requirements of train operators are causing issues. In order to reduce expenses, they need to agree to modifications in their work practices, including the integration of Sundays as a standard workday across the board.

The Rail Delivery Group proposed a salary raise of 4 plus 4 per cent for both the 2022 and 2023 pay decisions on 27th April 2023. However, the agreement required the union to agree to several modifications to the terms and conditions that affected many topics such as driver training, Sunday working, sick pay, and the implementation of technology.

The organization proclaims that the proposal is unsatisfactory, deeming it as an attempt to seize control over the rules and regulations. Furthermore, they claim that the employers were aware of this fact while introducing the offer.

The leaders of the union are confident that they will receive the funds necessary to satisfy their requests, just as they have in previous situations. Additionally, Aslef has traditionally negotiated changes in working conditions in exchange for a slight increase in pay and does not intend to alter this approach.

At present, travelers are still lacking trust due to ongoing issues, and railway passengers are unable to schedule trips further than a fortnight in advance. This is because the minimum notification period for union strikes is two weeks.

"Employers & Government: What's Their Take?"

According to a representative from Rail Delivery Group, the Aslef leadership has decided to cause a strike that is not really needed. This is very unfortunate as it will create problems for customers and businesses, and will also harm the railway even more. This is happening at a time when taxpayers are spending an extra £54 million every week just to keep the services running.

We are still striving for a just contract with the Aslef leaders that not only recognizes the hard work of our employees, but also provides our clients with dependable transportation. In addition, we want to ensure that the railway system is not receiving an excessive amount of funds from taxpayers.

A representative from the Department for Transport stated that the Secretary of State for Transportation, Mark Harper, and the Minister for Railways, Huw Merriman, have put in place a wage proposition that would increase the average income of train drivers to £65,000. This salary amount is nearly two times higher than the typical salary in the United Kingdom.

The Aslef union is the solitary group still participating in a strike as the government has successfully negotiated agreements with all the other unions. Rather than negatively affecting travelers, Aslef should present this proposition to their members and join forces with the industry to resolve this disagreement.

Union's Stance?

Aslef's general secretary, Mick Whelan, stated that the significant majorities in the industrial action ballots demonstrate the intensity of emotions among train operators. He added that it would be of no use to have a vote on last year's offer.

According to what he said to The Independent, we've been experiencing this rail strike for 22 months already, making it the longest one in history. Despite this prolonged time of protest, drivers keep voting with a 94 to 99 per cent majority. This shows that they don't consider the proposal given to be satisfactory, as otherwise they wouldn't support continuing the strike. Not to mention that this proposal has already been out there for a year, and it's unlikely to gain any traction.

The agreements regarding payment at said companies ended last year. Train operators working at these particular companies have not received a pay rise in five years.

One year has passed since we had a meeting with the train companies. During that meeting, they made an offer that we deemed to be completely unacceptable. Interestingly, they even acknowledged that their offer was intentionally unfavorable and expected to be declined.

When Will The Strikes End?

Mick Whelan declares that they will not give up, as Tom Petty once said. The current understanding is that resolving the conflict will require a shift in the ruling party.

Rishi Sunak, the current prime minister of Britain, has exhibited an unprecedented disregard for the country's railway system since the time of Margaret Thatcher. In preparation for the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, he recently declared that Air Passenger Duty would be slashed by fifty percent for domestic routes, potentially encouraging people to favor air travel over rail travel. As a result, there has been a considerable increase in the number of flights operating within the United Kingdom.

Breaking years of attaining a consensus across political parties, the head of government decided to cancel the development plans for HS2 beyond Birmingham and demanded an immediate disposal of safeguarded property to avoid any likelihood of reviving the initiative. Additionally, Mr. Sunak has allowed continuous pauses in train services due to driver strikes for a year and a half with no visible motivation to resolve the issue.

What's The Labour Party's Stance?

The shadow minister in charge of transportation for the Labour party, Louise Haigh, declared that they would adopt a distinctive approach compared to the Conservatives. They will collaborate with all parties involved to arrange a contract that benefits both passengers and employees.

Maybe if the person in charge of transportation had a more logical mindset, we wouldn't still be experiencing railway strikes.

Earlier this month, Mark Harper, who is responsible for the transportation in the government, made a statement on X (it was earlier Twitter but now we cannot use this brand name anymore). Harper stated that he found out in the plans of the opposing party, Labour Party, that if they came to power, the unions would have more power and influence, which would result in more government interference. In the end, there would be fewer transportation services provided, which would ultimately have a negative impact on passengers.

What's The Cost Of All This Disruption?

As per the RDG, the railway industry suffered a loss of approximately £775m in the period of industrial action between June 2022 and mid-January 2024. This amount excludes the influence of the latest overtime bans and strikes, which implies that the total cost could be about £1bn.

According to UKHospitality, the hospitality industry has suffered an approximate loss of £5 billion due to the ongoing strike. Kate Nicholls, the CEO of the organisation, explained that this strike has had a negative impact on businesses, causing hindrances in people's commute and significantly breaking the trust of people in the railway system.

Furthermore, there is an incalculable decrease in income from travelers who have modified their daily routines or discovered other means of transportation; companies that have ceased taking trips and are using virtual communication instead; and individuals cutting down on travel due to the absence of assurance.

What's Up With The Minimum Service Levels Law?

New laws now empower the transportation secretary to demand a required level of service, known as minimum service levels (MSLs), during times of strikes. This level amounts to at least 40 percent of the regular service.

The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 has been introduced by the government with the objective of making certain that services, which people depend on, are available to them during times of strike.

The train company is not trying to enforce the new regulation on the union of train drivers. LNER considered this option earlier and initiated talks with the union. Nonetheless, Aslef took action by staging a unique strike that lasted for five days but only against LNER. In response, the train company announced that working drivers would not be obligatory, leading to the cancellation of the strike.

The Transport Select Committee has previously expressed concerns about any possible negative effects of the new law. The leader of the Conservative party, Iain Stewart, pointed out that there is a possibility that the MSLs could further damage the employer-employee relationship, and consequently, result in less dependable services.

The regulations for the lowest level of service do not pertain to when unions prohibit working on non-agreed rest-days. Therefore, there would be no advantage in enforcing the legislation during a ban on working overtime.