TRAIN drivers union, Aslef, has announced further rail strikes in May and June 2023.
The union said the latest offer of a 4% pay rise was "unacceptable" to its members as inflation is running above 10%.
What are the rail strike dates?
The planned rail strike dates for May and June 2023 will see action take place on:
- Friday, May 12
- Wednesday, May 31
- Saturday, June 3
It is envisaged that the strikes will have a wide-reaching effect on services across the country.
The day following strikes, now called "shoulder days", will see timetables running at 60% of their normal capacity.
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When do the train strikes finish?
The latest round of talks between union bosses and train operators has seen a significant increase to the offer put on the table.
Previously, an offer of a 4% payrise over two years was suggested.
However, on January 17, 2023, the RDG (Rail Delivery Group)made its "best and final offer" to the RMT leadership.
This offer includes a pay rise of 4% from January 2023. and 5% (or minimum £1,750 rise) backdated to January 2022.
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The deal includes changes to work practices.
This offer comes after the January 6, 2023, offer from RDG to Aslef of 4 plus 4 per cent rise backdated to 2022.
It includes no compulsory redundancies until March 31, 2024.
It is thought that the strikes have had significant cost to the industry as a result.
Which train lines are affected by the rail strike?
During the current planned action, the following train companies have confirmed that they will be running no services on the three dates in question.
- Avanti West Coast
- Chiltern Railways
- CrossCountry
- East Midlands Railway
- Great Western Railway
- Greater Anglia
- GTR Great Northern Thameslink
- London North Eastern Railway
- Northern Trains
- Southeastern
- Southern/Gatwick Express
- South Western Railway;
- SWR depot drivers
- SWR Island Line
- TransPennine Express
- West Midands Trains
Checking with local operators is advised to see how your journey is affected as the strikes are expected to cause nationwide disruption.
Will there be any more rail strikes in 2023?
Unless a deal is reached between unions and rail operators, it's likely that strikes will continue into the spring and summer of 2023.
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: "The proposal – of just 4% – was clearly not designed to be accepted as inflation is still running north of 10% and our members at these companies have not had an increase for four years.
"The RDG, in turn, rejected our proposals to modernise Britain’s railways and help them run more efficiently, for passengers and for businesses, in the 21st century.
"Consequently, we have today announced three more days of strike action at the companies with which we are in dispute, and which are letting down passengers, and taxpayers, so badly."
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At the beginning of 2023, Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT claimed that the government had blocked a deal to end the dispute.
He said that he is willing to negotiate but requires an offer on pay, jobs and conditions that their members can vote on.
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