Train drivers vote to continue strike action

Train drivers have voted to continue taking strike action for the next six months as part of a long-running dispute over pay.

The vote comes as train drivers begin nine days of industrial action between 1 and 9 December.

Strikes will affect train companies on a rolling basis, and the Aslef union has also imposed an overtime ban.

Mick Whelan, Aslef's general secretary, said the union was "in this for the long haul".

"Our members - who have not had a pay rise for nearly five years now - are determined that the train companies - and the Tory government that stands behind them - do the right thing," he added.

While the cost of living has soared, drivers' pay has not increased since 2019, so it is "unrealistic - and unfair - to expect our members to work just as hard for what, in real terms, is considerably less", Mr Whelan said.

The median salary for train drivers was £59,189 in 2021.

Unions in disputes need to reballot members every six months to see if they want to continue with industrial action.

Aslef reballoted its members at 12 train operators in England, and each saw large votes in favour of continued strike action.

The results come as Aslef members began an overtime ban, which lasts from Friday until Saturday 9 December.

Train drivers are also staging a "rolling programme" of one-day walkouts between Saturday 2 December and Friday 8 December, with different train companies affected on each day.

• When are the next rail strikes?

Many of the affected operators are expected to run no services at all on strike days, and travelling on the day before or after strike days might also be hit.

Some train companies, such as Govia Thameslink, will have reduced services for the whole period.

On Thursday, rail workers in the RMT union voted to accept a pay deal, ending their involvement in the long-running series of strikes.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: "Aslef is now not just the only rail union still striking, but the only union not to even put an offer to its members.

"They are instead choosing to cause more misery for passengers and the hospitality sector this festive period."

Mr Merriman said the current offer would bring the average train driver's salary up to £65,000 for a 35-hour, four-day week.