As rail passengers put together for eight days of disruption from engineering work and industrial action by train drivers, the union boss says he’s “incredibly upbeat”.
Mick Whelan, basic secretary of the train drivers’ union, Aslef, instructed The Independent: “It’s hard not to be enthused. We’re 22 months into this – the longest rail strike in history. And we’re still getting mandates of 94 to 99 per cent. We’ve still got picket lines. There’s no wavering.”
Network Rail engineering tasks will trigger important issues for a lot of passengers between Saturday and Monday.
The closing day of the financial institution vacation weekend coincides with the beginning of a six-day additional time ban by train drivers belonging to Aslef, in addition to three “rolling” one-day strikes.
The motion will mark the third summer time of walk-outs because the dispute on pay and dealing preparations started. The union has not had talks with the employers – the 14 train operators represented by the Rail Delivery Group – for over a yr.
Mr Whelan stated: “We need to get across the desk and resolve this. We are usually not the barrier. We are usually not the trigger of this downside. We didn’t begin it. We didn’t need to be right here. We desire a decision.
“But it received’t be in any respect prices. It must be on the best phrases for the individuals I characterize. And after 5 years and not using a pay rise, I feel they’ve acquired a proper to ask.”
A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson stated: “We want to see an end to this dispute and in that spirit, we have written to the Aslef leadership to try and find areas of common ground that will allow us to move to formal negotiations.”
The prospect of any significant talks earlier than the economic motion seems extraordinarily unlikely.
The intention of the rolling strikes is to trigger as a lot disruption as doable with minimal loss off pay.
Aslef is focusing on London commuter providers with a walk-out at many train operators serving the capital on Tuesday 7 May. Almost all providers will likely be halted.
The following day, most intercity trains will likely be cancelled as drivers working for Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, GWR and different corporations cease work.
On Thursday 9 May, northern England is the goal. TransPennine Express and Northern will cancel all trains, whereas LNER will function a skeleton service on the London-York-Newcastle-Edinburgh route.
During the additional time ban, 1000’s of trains are prone to be cancelled because of this of the refusal of rest-day working.
Mr Whelan stated offended passengers ought to direct their ire at ministers and “the privateers” – non-public firms contracted by the Department for Transport (DfT) to supply rail providers.
At the basis of the dispute is the union’s demand for a no-strings pay award, adopted by native negotiations on adjustments to working preparations.
Ministers, who will finally log off any deal, insist that even a modest improve is contingent on wide-ranging productiveness enhancements.
“There’s no reform on the table,” Mr Whelan insisted. “All we saw was a land-grab for terms and conditions to maximise the profits of privateers. “People want a resolution, but don’t want a resolution at all costs.”
The union has refused to place the April 2023 pay provide to members, saying repeated overwhelming strike mandates present the power of feeling amongst train drivers concerning the deal.
The Aslef boss had beforehand instructed The Independent that it will take a change of authorities to unravel the dispute.
When requested concerning the prospects for a swift settlement had been Labour to come back to energy, he stated: “We’ve acquired no ensures that the brand new authorities, if and once they win, will do something completely different.
“We hope they’d be extra sympathetic and wish this out of the best way.”
The transport secretary, Mark Harper, posted earlier this month on X (formerly Twitter): “Buried in Labour’s rail nationalisation plan: higher management for the unions, extra ministerial meddling,resulting in fewer providers. Making issues worse for passengers.
“Labour would take us again to sq. one – and the dangerous outdated days of British Rail.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport stated: “The transport secretary and rail minister [Huw Merriman] have already facilitated a pay provide that might take train drivers’ common salaries as much as £65,000 – nearly twice the UK common wage.
“Aslef are the one union left placing after the federal government oversaw offers with all the opposite unions. Instead of inflicting passengers disruption, they need to put this provide to their members and work with trade to finish this dispute.”
The Rail Delivery Group spokesperson stated: “We can solely apologise to our clients for this wholly pointless strike motion referred to as by the Aslef management which is able to sadly disrupt journeys as soon as once more.
“It can even inflict additional harm on an trade that’s receiving as much as an extra £54m per week in taxpayer money to maintain providers operating, following the Covid downturn.
“While we’re working with our trade companions to maintain as many trains operating as doable, sadly there will likely be diminished providers between Monday 6 and Saturday 11 May. As the extent of service will fluctuate throughout the nation, our recommendation is to examine earlier than you journey and comply with the most recent journey data.”
Passengers making an attempt to keep away from the economic motion by travelling over the weekend might encounter issues – particularly on the West Coast principal line.
The line between Birmingham International and Rugby is closed on all three days, whereas the London Euston and Milton Keynes link will shut fully on Sunday.
