Another Train strike today will cause chaos and misery for travellers and commuters as talks break down again.
Steve Montgomery, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, said bosses were “really disappointed that the Aslef leadership has decided to impose yet more uncertainty and disruption for passengers and businesses”.
The widespread travel disruption to train services is expected today as drivers from seven operators walk out over pay rises.
Train strike today
A 24-hour strike by about 5,000 members of the Aslef union will affect lines across England – including Southeastern and West Midlands Trains.
Aslef’s Simon Weller said: “The key issue for our members is they don’t want to see yet another real terms pay cut for the third year in a row. We’ve been trying to negotiate a settlement for this year but we’ve met a brick wall.
The travel disruption will cause chaos on a busy Saturday of sport and Entertainment.
Travel to the first games of the season for most English Football League clubs, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the Charity Shield cup match, between Liverpool and Man City and a Lady Gaga gig will be impacted.
Why did the negotiations break down?
The negotiations have broken down as the Unions suggest the government is not willing to accept a 6.6% pay rise that is in line with inflation.
Aslef, like the RMT and the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), says the government has prevented the industry from offering a pay rise approaching inflation, although ministers claim it is in the hands of the employers.
Ultimately the is the travellers, and commuters are the ones who will suffer. As they are warned to expect widespread travel disruption as well as increased traffic on the roads.
It adds to a summer of misery for passengers after a series of walkouts by train drivers who accuse the government of playing hardball, and using the BBC to slander the Unions in a bid to accept lower-than-average pay rises.
It is like being between a rock and hard place; The rail unions threaten to strike as a last resort whilst the Rail delivery group (indirectly) threaten to create ‘bad press’ for the train drivers.
Using the power of BBC News service, where you read the breakdown of the talks which focuses on the widespread travel disruption caused by the train strike, rather than why the talks broke down.
Which train services lines will be affected?
The train strike today will affect the following train services.
London Overground – Arriva Rail London operates the London Overground, Great Western, Hull Trains, and Heathrow Express. All their services are expected to see delays.
Southeastern Trains – No trains will run on Southeastern and operators including Great Western Railway – which operates services between England and Wales – and LNER will have severely-reduced services.
Greater Anglia – The disruption to London Overground and Greater Anglia will affect travel to and from Lada Gaga’s Chromatica Ball in Tottenham.
This disruption will continue into the early hours of Sunday morning as no Overground services will be operating until 6 AM on Sunday.
West Midlands Trains – West Midlands Trains has said it will only operate a “special shuttle” between Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International as thousands attend the Commonwealth Games in the city.
Passengers are advised to check the latest news headlines and travel news and allow extra time for their journeys to minimise the impact of the train strikes that are taking place today.
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