Walkout by drivers in Aslef union to disrupt c2c services in east London
Train drivers set to stage fresh strikes, coinciding with the Conservative party’s annual conference, in their long-running dispute over pay. ASLEF strike action to coincide with Tory annual conference causing disruption to an east London railway line with train cancellations expected on at least two days with walkouts on 30th September and 4th October set to cause further travel meltdown.
Rail operator c2c has announced that owing to a walk out by train drivers from the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), no trains will run on 30th September and 4th October.
Action short of a strike is also being planned for 29th September as well as between 2nd October to the 6th.
No announcement has been made yet as to what level of services will run on these day.
Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, told PA Media : “I am hopeful that further meetings with the unions are productive and see progress made toward concluding this challenging time for the railway. He stated that their members have not had a pay rise for four years since 2019 and that was not right when prices have soared in that time. Train drivers quite reasonably want to be able to buy now what they could purchase 4 years ago.
The timing of the walk-out by ASLEF members is set to coincide with the Conservative party’s annual conference.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said that further strike action will not only put a strain on taxpayers, but risk driving passengers away from the network for good. He said that these strikes will not prevent the need for essential workplace reforms.
The union said that the strikes will force train operators to cancel all services, causing travel chaos for passengers, including those travelling to and from the Conservative conference in Manchester, which is being held from 1st to 4th October.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper described the strikes as “cynical” and “politically motivated”.
He said that train drivers were paid an average of £60k for a 35-hour, 4 day week. There is an offer on the table to take that up to £65k and that still they strike, putting their own jobs at risk.
Aslef announced its members at 16 train operators will walk out on 30th September which is the day before the conference and 4th October, the final day of the event.
Aslef members will also ban overtime from 29th September to 6th October, which the union said will “seriously disrupt” the rail network.
The companies affected by the strikes include : Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; c2c; East Midlands Railway; Greater Anglia; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; TransPennine Express; CrossCountry; Great Western Railway; Island Line; LNER; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway; Northern Trains; Southeastern; and West Midlands Trains.
The London Overground and the Elizabeth line will not be included in the walkout but are likely to be even busier and some services may be affected indirectly.
Mick Whelan, General Secretary of Aslef, said that while they regret having to take this action they do not want to lose a day’s pay or disrupt passengers as they travel by train, but said that the Government and employers have forced them into this position.
“Our members have not had a pay rise for four years – since 2019 – and that’s not right when prices have soared in that time.
“Train drivers quite reasonably want to be able to buy now what they could buy four years ago.”
Mr Whelan likened Mr Harper to “Where’s Wally?”, saying he had made no contact with the union since last December.
“Where’s Mark Harper? He holds the purse strings. The train companies have told us. They say they cannot act without his say-so.”
