Practice drivers’ strike severely impacts companies
R
ail passengers face contemporary journey chaos on Friday due to one other strike by drivers within the long-running dispute over pay.
The 24-hour walkout by members of Aslef is severely affecting companies, with 13 operators equivalent to Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Thameslink and TransPennine Express shut down all day.
Many of the businesses which might be working trains have decreased timetables, beginning later and ending sooner than regular.
Most of the disruption is in England, with Transport for Wales and ScotRail not affected by the dispute.
But walkouts by drivers at long-distance operators imply there are additionally cancellations in Scotland and Wales.
The dispute began greater than a yr in the past and stays deadlocked, with no talks deliberate and no signal of a breakthrough.
Drivers may also ban extra time on Saturday, coinciding with a strike by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) in its dispute over pay, jobs and situations.
Both unions blame the Government for blocking any likelihood of a deal by refusing to permit practice operators to make a proposal they’ll suggest to their members.
Speaking at a picket line in Euston, north London, Aslef normal secretary Mick Whelan informed the PA news company: “The feedback we get – and we talk to drivers every day – is that they’re in it for the long haul.
“You’ve got to remember some of our members, when we get to the end of this year, will be five years without a pay rise, so there’s no sign of any weakening or any lack of resolve, and our members in many cases want to go harder and faster.”
He mentioned he doesn’t at the moment see an finish level to the dispute, including: “This is purely a political response to the dispute. Only when the ministers take the reins off the train operating companies will this get resolved.”
Robert Nisbet, spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents practice operators, mentioned Aslef should present “movement” on modifications to working practices.
Asked why no talks have been held between the RDG and Aslef since April, Mr Nisbet informed BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Because they will not accept that core principle.”
He added: “We are looking for movement on that.”
Earlier Mr Nisbet mentioned: “The main problem here at the moment with Aslef is that they won’t accept a link to changing the way that the industry runs.
“We have to face the fact that the industry has changed substantially since Covid because commuters are not coming back in the numbers that they thought.
“There’s a 30% dip in revenue, so we’re asking unions to be realistic, to look at the situation as it is at the moment.”
Operators need to cease counting on drivers working extra time shifts for Sunday companies to run.
Aslef claims no practice firms make use of sufficient drivers to offer a full weekend service with out drivers engaged on their days off.
A Department for Transport spokesperson mentioned: “After taxpayers supported rail workers throughout the pandemic, it’s frustrating to see both Aslef and RMT coordinate their strikes with the aim of causing as much disruption as possible on the last weekend of the summer holidays.
“There remains fair and reasonable offers on the table for both unions, one which would bring the average train driver’s salaries up to £65,000 and one which RMT members working for Network Rail accepted months ago.
“Continued industrial action is disappointing and delays the reforms that would ultimately benefit passengers, rail workers and taxpayers.”
Friday’s strike coincides with the ultimate day of session on controversial plans to shut most railway ticket places of work, which has sparked a whole lot of hundreds of responses from the general public.
A protest was held reverse Downing Street on Thursday night.