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90% of the train operators who were surveyed for ongoing protests in the next half year have chosen to go on strike.
The Aslef union is made up of individuals who have been participating in a 19-month effort to resolve a dispute about wages and working conditions through industrial action.
The union Aslef reports that its members working for Chiltern, C2C, East Midlands Railway, Northern, and TransPennine Express have voted in favor of continuing their walk-outs, which initially started in July 2022.
Every six months, unions in disputes are required to hold a new vote among their members to determine whether to continue taking industrial action.
The 14 train operators in England, who are members of the Rail Delivery Group and overseen by the government, are considered employers.
In April of last year, railway companies and government officials presented a proposal for fair compensation for 2022 and 2023, contingent upon train operators agreeing to significant changes in their work practices.
The salary for a train driver working a 35-hour week for four days would increase from £60,000 to £65,000 on average.
Mick Whelan, the general secretary of Aslef, states that the outcome of the vote clearly demonstrates a refusal of the pay agreement with conditions.
The leader of the union is extending an offer to both government officials and employers, stating: “We are still receptive and ready to discuss a modified proposal.”
Is it possible for a settlement to be reached? Can passengers confidently plan their journeys? These are the main inquiries and responses.
Which railway companies are involved?
Aslef is in dispute with the train operators that are contracted by the government to provide rail services. In addition to the five train operators where drivers have just voted for more strikes (above), the companies are:
- Intercity operators: Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway and LNER.
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Commuter operators in Southeast England and Midlands include Greater Anglia, GTR (Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink), Southeastern, South Western Railway, and West Midlands Railway (which also includes London Northwestern Railway).
Is this solely about finances?
If the disagreement was only about the amount of pay raise that train drivers should receive, it likely would have been resolved several months ago or never escalated to the point of strikes.
However, due to the current decrease in fare revenue caused by the pandemic, the government is providing an additional £2 billion in annual public subsidy. This is intended to bring about comprehensive changes within the railway system, including making Sundays a regular work day for all employees.
The goals are outlined in the 2021 framework created by the Rail Industry Recovery Group. The document states: “There are numerous operational systems that require modernization in order to support a railway that is viable in the 21st century.”
Issues include:
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Creating a contemporary railway system that operates seven days a week in order to facilitate an increase in recreational travel, while also implementing strong operational plans for Sundays.
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Assess scheduling methods in order to enhance adaptability in distributing resources for improved levels of effectiveness and efficiency.
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Introducing new and secure technology at no extra cost.
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Encouraging a mindset of active engagement and continual enhancement by eliminating outdated methods.
Why does Aslef consider these unacceptable?
The union representing train drivers has expressed willingness to negotiate terms and conditions. According to their charter, they aim to eliminate mandated overtime and make seven-day work weeks the standard.
In the past, Aslef has typically negotiated changes to work schedules by offering a small increase in pay.
The employers, who rely on minister approval for any potential agreement, claim this is not feasible. They argue that even a small salary increase is only possible if significant alterations are made to established working practices in order to lower expenses.
Furthermore, Aslef has certain boundaries that they are not willing to cross, including being strongly opposed to any expansion of the controversial “driver-only operation”.
What happens next?
The image is unclear due to the fact that train conductors employed by LNER and Northern will go on separate strikes on Friday, March 1st. The union Aslef has organized this industrial action in response to the train companies’ consistent failure to adhere to current agreements, but it is not connected to the larger dispute.
Mick Whelan, the general secretary of Aslef, seems to have offered an olive branch at the same time.
Mr. Whelan stated that we are requesting the presence of the secretary of state for transportation, or the rail minister Huw Merriman, to join us for a meeting.
“Let’s gather at the table and discuss. We desire to avoid any further strikes, and we do not want to be compelled to resort to more industrial action, despite having the necessary authorization to do so.”
What might a potential agreement entail?
The offer would be similar to the agreement presented to the larger rail workers’ union, the RMT, which was strongly supported by its members.
The RMT has temporarily ceased their industrial strike. The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents 14 train operators, has proposed a five percent increase for 2022 and a four percent increase for 2023. Additional pay raises will be negotiated with each train operator in exchange for implementing changes to work practices.
Why aren’t employers and ministers providing something comparable?
The train companies would likely be pleased with this agreement, however the money would need to come from taxpayers in the form of increased subsidies.
There are those in the railway sector who argue that the conflict has taken on a strong political nature. The government views ongoing rail strikes from decently compensated employees as a potential factor in the upcoming election.
The new law permits the transport secretary to set a minimum level of service (MSL) on days when there is a strike, requiring 40% of the regular service to be provided. So far, no train company has enforced this law on the union representing train drivers.
The prime minister expressed disappointment that train operators did not follow minimum service standards during the recent nationwide strike. Mr. Sunakis has also been known for his dislike of the railway sector.
According to Mick Whelan, the disagreement may not be resolved until a new government takes over. In November 2023, he stated that after waiting for six or seven months without any efforts being made to address the issue, it must be assumed that the current parliament is not interested in finding a solution.
When are the upcoming strikes scheduled to occur?
On Friday, March 1, there will be a strike among train operators at LNER and Northern due to separate disagreements. Many trains will not be running as a consequence of these strikes. Furthermore, there will be a restriction on working overtime on the preceding and succeeding days, February 29 and March 2.
Based on past strikes, it is likely that Northern will not have any trains running on March 1st. However, LNER will operate a limited service with shorter operating hours between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh, passing through York and Newcastle.
Passengers can still travel on alternative train operators for the same routes. For example, Hull Trains provides service between London and Hull, and TransPennine Express operates between Manchester and Leeds.
During the days impacted by the overtime ban, there is a high chance that Northern will cancel a large number of trains, and LNER may also cancel or reduce some of their services.
In addition, any passenger relying on the 14 train companies involved in the disagreement cannot make plans more than two weeks in advance. This is because labor unions must give a minimum of two weeks’ notice for strike action.
With that being stated, The Independent has knowledge that there are currently no intentions to initiate additional nationwide strikes until after Easter.
If no progress is achieved in negotiations by April, there is a possibility of additional strikes during the beginning of summer.
Source: independent.co.uk
