This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61634959

The article has changed 212 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 134 Version 135
Rail disruption as drivers begin new overtime ban Train strikes: When is the next action happening?
(8 days later)
Rail passengers are facing more disruption this week due to the latest industrial action by train drivers. Members of two rail unions are currently involved in industrial action at train operating companies, which has led to disruption for passengers.
Members of the Aslef train drivers union will not work overtime from Monday 7 August through to Saturday 12 August. The action is part of an ongoing dispute about pay and conditions.
The latest overtime ban is part of a long-running dispute about pay, jobs and conditions that has seen some severe disruption. Train drivers at Aslef union have recently carried out overtime bans, but the RMT union, which represents other rail workers, has announced more strikes.
Passengers are advised to check rail services before they travel. When are the latest strikes?
What action are train drivers taking? Some 20,000 RMT members will strike on Saturday 26 August and Saturday 2 September.
Members of Aslef are taking industrial action short of a strike, in the form of an overtime ban. Workers at 14 train companies are expected to take part. The announcement means rail passengers can expect disruption on the last Bank Holiday weekend of the summer in August.
Services at 15 train companies based in England will be disrupted by this from Monday 7 August to Saturday 12 August. The 14 train firms affected are Avanti West Coast, c2c, Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, LNER, Northern Trains, South Eastern, South Western Railway, Transpennine Express, West Midlands Trains and GTR (including Gatwick Express).
The overtime ban will affect Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, Cross Country, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Island Line, LNER, Northern Trains, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line, TransPennine Express, and West Midlands Trains.
Most companies rely on drivers working overtime to run their full schedules.
Train operators may reduce their service levels and passengers are advised to check before they travel.Train operators may reduce their service levels and passengers are advised to check before they travel.
Will there be more train strikes?
Saturday's action by workers in the RMT union was the last strike scheduled for now.
If nothing changes, the RMT could continue to call more strikes until November, when it would have to re-ballot members.
Aslef, the drivers' union, could also call further strikes in the coming months. But it hasn't currently.
Why have railway workers been on strike?Why have railway workers been on strike?
Unions say any pay offer should reflect the rising cost of living - with the inflation rate only recently having dipped below 10%.Unions say any pay offer should reflect the rising cost of living - with the inflation rate only recently having dipped below 10%.
But the rail industry is under pressure to save money, after the pandemic left a hole in its finances.But the rail industry is under pressure to save money, after the pandemic left a hole in its finances.
The industry says changes to ways of working need to be agreed in order for pay to go up.The industry says changes to ways of working need to be agreed in order for pay to go up.
But the unions are not happy with some of these.But the unions are not happy with some of these.
Which workers are allowed to go on strike?Which workers are allowed to go on strike?
What about Tube strikes?
London Underground workers called off their strikes from Sunday 23 July until Friday 28 July after a "major step forward" in talks.
Three unions had been due to walk out in a long-running dispute about pensions, job cuts and working conditions.
How much are rail workers paid?How much are rail workers paid?
The average salary of rail workers in 2022 was £45,919, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).The average salary of rail workers in 2022 was £45,919, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
If drivers are excluded (because they tend to be members of the Aslef union, not RMT) its estimate is £39,518. However, the RMT union said that figure was too high because it does not include rail cleaning staff.If drivers are excluded (because they tend to be members of the Aslef union, not RMT) its estimate is £39,518. However, the RMT union said that figure was too high because it does not include rail cleaning staff.
The ONS says median pay for "train and tram drivers" is just under £59,000.The ONS says median pay for "train and tram drivers" is just under £59,000.
Although Aslef members tend to be better paid than other rail workers, Mick Whelan, general secretary of the union, told BBC News on 12 May that train drivers "haven't had a pay rise for four years". He was just referring to the ones who are taking industrial action.Although Aslef members tend to be better paid than other rail workers, Mick Whelan, general secretary of the union, told BBC News on 12 May that train drivers "haven't had a pay rise for four years". He was just referring to the ones who are taking industrial action.
That's because a new pay deal has not been reached since their last agreement ended in 2019.That's because a new pay deal has not been reached since their last agreement ended in 2019.
However, Transport Minister Huw Merriman said the pay of train drivers "has gone up by 39% since 2011... the highest increase of any employment group."However, Transport Minister Huw Merriman said the pay of train drivers "has gone up by 39% since 2011... the highest increase of any employment group."
He is right about the 39% increase, but we have not been able to establish whether it's the highest increase for any employment group. That's because of changes to the way the figures have been released over the last decade. He is right about the 39% increase, but we have not been able to establish whether it's the highest increase for any employment group. That's because of changes to the way the figures have been released over the past decade.
How much are rail workers paid?How much are rail workers paid?
What has happened to pay in the UK?What has happened to pay in the UK?
What deal have rail workers been offered?What deal have rail workers been offered?
The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents the 14 train companies, made an offer that would have seen rail workers receive a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022. It would then negotiate reforms ahead of a second year's pay rise with individual operators.The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents the 14 train companies, made an offer that would have seen rail workers receive a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022. It would then negotiate reforms ahead of a second year's pay rise with individual operators.
On 5 May, RMT members voted to extend the strike mandate for another six months.On 5 May, RMT members voted to extend the strike mandate for another six months.
The Aslef union, meanwhile, has rejected a two-year offer which would see drivers get a backdated pay rise of 4% for 2022 and a 4% increase this year.The Aslef union, meanwhile, has rejected a two-year offer which would see drivers get a backdated pay rise of 4% for 2022 and a 4% increase this year.
Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said it had been forced into taking industrial action because the train companies "refuse to sit down and talk to us and have not made a fair and sensible pay offer".Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said it had been forced into taking industrial action because the train companies "refuse to sit down and talk to us and have not made a fair and sensible pay offer".
A Department for Transport spokesman said: "The government has met the rail unions, listened to them and facilitated improved offers on pay and reform."A Department for Transport spokesman said: "The government has met the rail unions, listened to them and facilitated improved offers on pay and reform."
"The union leaders should put these fair and reasonable offers to their members so this dispute can be resolved.""The union leaders should put these fair and reasonable offers to their members so this dispute can be resolved."
Separately, a revised offer from Network Rail was accepted by RMT members on 20 March, ending that dispute.Separately, a revised offer from Network Rail was accepted by RMT members on 20 March, ending that dispute.
The union said the offer amounted to an uplift on salaries of between 14.4% for the lowest paid grades to 9.2% for the highest paid.The union said the offer amounted to an uplift on salaries of between 14.4% for the lowest paid grades to 9.2% for the highest paid.
How much notice do unions have to give?How much notice do unions have to give?
Unions are obliged to give at least 14 days' notice of any strike action.Unions are obliged to give at least 14 days' notice of any strike action.
How will the rail strikes affect your journey? What alternative forms of transport are you using? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How will the rail strikes affect your journey? What alternative forms of transport are you using? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSayTweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
Upload pictures or videoUpload pictures or video
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policyPlease read our terms & conditions and privacy policy
If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Rail travelRail travel
RMTRMT
Strike actionStrike action