Commuters face week of travel chaos due to train drivers’ overtime ban

Commuters are being warned of travel disruption for the next six days as train drivers in the Aslef union announce they are going on strike again.

Throughout England 16 train companies will refuse to work overtime from 3-8 July due to an ongoing national dispute over pay. 

Passengers are being urged to check timetables before they travel. 

Mick Whelan, the general secretary of the train driver’s union Aslef, said in a statement: ‘Once again we find ourselves with no alternative but to take this action. 

‘We have continually come to the negotiating table in good faith, seeking to resolve the dispute. Sadly, it is clear from the actions of both the train operating companies and the government that they do not want an end to the dispute. 

Sixteen train companies will refuse to work overtime from 3-8 July due to an ongoing national dispute over pay [File image]

Most train companies rely on their drivers to work overtime in order to run their full schedules

‘Their goals appear to be to continue industrial strife and to do down our industry.

‘We don’t want to inconvenience the public. We just want to see our members paid fairly during a cost of living crisis when inflation is running at above 10%, and to not see our terms and conditions taken away.

‘It’s time for the government and the companies to think again and look for a resolution.’

Most train companies rely on their drivers to work overtime in order to run their full schedules. 

The disrupted train companies include Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, Chiltern, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia and Great Western Railway.

Also taking industrial action will be: Great Northern, LNER, Northern, Southeastern, Southern (inclusive of Gatwick Express), South Western Railway (inclusive of Island Line), Thameslink, Transpennine Express and West Midlands Trains.

Last month the RMT announced that 20,000 rail workers will strike on July 20, 22 and 29 across 14 train companies.

The union accused train operators of failing to make a new pay offer to resolve the long-running dispute.

Mick Whelan, the general secretary of Aslef, said in a statement: ‘Once again we find ourselves with no alternative but to take this action’

The RMT said that despite repeated statements that it was willing to enter further negotiations, neither the rail operators nor the Government have asked it to any meetings.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘This latest phase of action will show the country just how important railway staff are to the running of the rail industry.’