Further train strikes announced for May
A rolling programme of national walkouts will take place between Tuesday 7 May and Thursday 9 May, with different train companies affected on each day (see boxout below).
The union has been locked in a row with train companies over pay and working conditions for more than 18 months now.
As part of the latest round of industrial action, drivers will also refuse to work any overtime from Monday 6 May, the day of the early May Bank Holiday, and Saturday 11 May.
“The dispute is to get train drivers, who have not had an increase in salary for five years, since their last pay deals expired in 2019, the pay rise they deserve,” said Aslef.
“The cost of living has increased significantly in the last five years.”
The ongoing industrial action on the railways, which started in June 2022, has had a major impact on the hospitality sector and has led to some businesses, including steakhouse group Hawksmoor, launching meal deals on strike days to encourage diners out.
Trade body UKHospitality previously estimated that strikes in this year alone have cost businesses close to £750m, and it believes that the total impact on the industry since the start of the industrial action nearly two years ago now totals £5bn.
May train strikes - which train company will be affected on what day?
Tuesday 7 May: Strikes will affect c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express and South Western Railway.
Wednesday 8 May: Strikes will affect Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains.
Thursday 9 May: Strikes will affect LNER, Northern Trains and the TransPennine Express.
