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Train strikes: When is the next action happening? Train strikes: When is the next action happening?
(14 days later)
Two rail unions are walking out again this weekend, as a long-running dispute about pay and conditions continues. Train drivers are to stage two more strikes as a long-running dispute about pay and conditions continues.
Both the train drivers' union Aslef and the RMT union, which represents other rail workers, have announced more strikes. Both the train drivers' union Aslef and the RMT union, which represents other rail workers, have been taking industrial action regularly over the past 18 months.
When are the latest strikes?When are the latest strikes?
Aslef members were on strike on Friday, 1 September and refuse to work overtime on Saturday, 2 September. Aslef members at 16 train companies are set to walk out on 30 September and 4 October.
Some 20,000 RMT members are on strike on Saturday, 2 September. The union is also carrying out an overtime ban for drivers on 29 September and for five days from 2 to 6 October.
Workers at the following 14 train companies are taking part: Workers at the following 16 train companies are taking part:
Avanti West CoastAvanti West Coast
c2c
Chiltern RailwaysChiltern Railways
Cross Country Trains c2c
CrossCountry
East Midlands RailwayEast Midlands Railway
Great Western Railway
Greater AngliaGreater Anglia
GTR Great Northern Thameslink
Great Western Railway
Island Line
LNERLNER
Northern TrainsNorthern Trains
South Eastern Southeastern
Southern/Gatwick Express
South Western RailwaySouth Western Railway
Transpennine Express TransPennine Express
West Midlands TrainsWest Midlands Trains
GTR (including Gatwick Express).
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.
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?
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 past 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.
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Related TopicsRelated Topics
Rail travelRail travel
RMTRMT
Strike actionStrike action