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Train strikes: All you need to know about dates and services Train strikes: All you need to know about dates and services
(32 minutes later)
Rail users in England are facing more disruption this week as members of the train drivers' union Aslef stage an overtime ban and another series of strikes. Rail users in England are facing disruption this week, as members of train drivers' union Aslef hold an overtime ban and strikes.
The walkouts are the latest in a long-running row over pay and conditions.The walkouts are the latest in a long-running row over pay and conditions.
Passengers should check before they travel as disruption is expected across the network.Passengers should check before they travel as disruption is expected across the network.
Scottish operators are not taking strike action but safety work on one line will affect some services. Separately, safety work will affect some services in Scotland
Which train routes are affected and when?Which train routes are affected and when?
Union members will refuse to work overtime from Monday 29 January until Tuesday 6 February. Aslef members will refuse to work overtime from Monday 29 January until Tuesday 6 February.
Aslef says there will also be stoppages between Tuesday 30 January and Monday 5 February, affecting different operators on different days. The union says there will be stoppages between Tuesday 30 January and Monday 5 February, affecting different operators on different days.
The strikes will affect the following companies based in England - some of which run services into Scotland and Wales - although ScotRail and Transport for Wales are not included in the dispute: The strikes affect the following companies based in England:
Tuesday 30 January: Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Thameslink, South Western Railway and SWR Island LineTuesday 30 January: Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Thameslink, South Western Railway and SWR Island Line
Wednesday 31 January: Northern Trains, Transpennine ExpressWednesday 31 January: Northern Trains, Transpennine Express
Friday 2 February: Greater Anglia, C2C, LNERFriday 2 February: Greater Anglia, C2C, LNER
Saturday 3 February: West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands RailwaySaturday 3 February: West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway
Monday 5 February: Great Western, CrossCountry, ChilternMonday 5 February: Great Western, CrossCountry, Chiltern
There will be no strike action on Thursday 1 February or Sunday 4 February.There will be no strike action on Thursday 1 February or Sunday 4 February.
Further strikes that had been announced by LNER for February have been called off. Some of the operators run services into Scotland and Wales.
Currently, unions are obliged to give at least 14 days' notice of any strike action. In Scotland, there are no walkouts but there will be disruption to ScotRail services. This is because of safety work at Rotho railway station, to install netting to prevent rockfalls.
In Scotland, there are no walkouts but there will be disruption to ScotRail services because of safety work at Rotho railway station. It will limit services between Edinburgh and Glasgow, Bathgate, Linlithgow, Stirling and Inverness.
The safety work, which involves installing netting to prevent rockfall, will limit services ScotRail can operate between Edinburgh and Glasgow, Bathgate, Linlithgow, Stirling and Inverness.
Are there any rail strikes planned by other unions?Are there any rail strikes planned by other unions?
Industrial action by Aslef and the RMT union has resulted in huge disruption on the country's railways over the past couple of years. Industrial action by Aslef and the RMT union has meant huge disruption over the past couple of years.
In November last year, RMT members voted to accept a pay offer, which means they will no longer be involved in industrial action until at least the spring.In November last year, RMT members voted to accept a pay offer, which means they will no longer be involved in industrial action until at least the spring.
However, talks with the RMT over future pay deals and working practices will continue.However, talks with the RMT over future pay deals and working practices will continue.
Unions in disputes need to reballot members every six months to see if they want to continue with industrial action. Unions in disputes need to reballot members every six months to see if they want to continue with industrial action
Currently, unions are obliged to give at least 14 days' notice of any strike action.
Can I get my money back for strike days?Can I get my money back for strike days?
Rail passengers with advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train they are booked on is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.  Rail passengers with advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train they are booked on is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.  
If passengers have a return ticket they may also be entitled to a fee-free refund if any part of the journey is cancelled due to strikes.If passengers have a return ticket they may also be entitled to a fee-free refund if any part of the journey is cancelled due to strikes.
Season ticket holders (flexi, monthly or longer) who cannot travel, can claim 100% compensation for strike dates through the Delay Repay scheme.Season ticket holders (flexi, monthly or longer) who cannot travel, can claim 100% compensation for strike dates through the Delay Repay scheme.
What is the strike about?What is the strike about?
Aslef is seeking better pay for its members, but the train operators say ways of working need to change for wages to rise, because of the financial challenge facing the industry and in fairness to taxpayers. Aslef is seeking better pay for its members.
However, train operators say ways of working need to change for wages to rise, because of the financial challenge facing the industry and in fairness to taxpayers.
However, Aslef says drivers are being asked to sacrifice working conditions in exchange for a below-inflation wage increase.However, Aslef says drivers are being asked to sacrifice working conditions in exchange for a below-inflation wage increase.
In April 2023, Aslef's executive committee rejected 4% pay rises for two years in a row, on condition that they would accept industry-wide changes to driver training, and negotiate changes to work patterns at individual operators.In April 2023, Aslef's executive committee rejected 4% pay rises for two years in a row, on condition that they would accept industry-wide changes to driver training, and negotiate changes to work patterns at individual operators.
There have been no formal talks since.There have been no formal talks since.
The government controls how much money is on the table and has the final say over what is offered. Ministers and industry negotiators have continue to urge the union to give members a vote on the latest offer.The government controls how much money is on the table and has the final say over what is offered. Ministers and industry negotiators have continue to urge the union to give members a vote on the latest offer.
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.
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 about the new minimum service levels law?What about the new minimum service levels law?
The government recently passed a new law which means train companies can require enough staff to work on strike days to run 40% of services.The government recently passed a new law which means train companies can require enough staff to work on strike days to run 40% of services.
Given that few or no services usually run when train drivers are on strike, it would be a big increase.Given that few or no services usually run when train drivers are on strike, it would be a big increase.
The Department for Transport has said it expects employers to be ready to use minimum service levels "if appropriate to do so, and to deliver the best possible service".The Department for Transport has said it expects employers to be ready to use minimum service levels "if appropriate to do so, and to deliver the best possible service".
But none of the operators affected by this wave of strikes have decided to go ahead, so the new rules have yet to be put into practice.But none of the operators affected by this wave of strikes have decided to go ahead, so the new rules have yet to be put into practice.
The Rail Delivery Group says they are not a "silver bullet".The Rail Delivery Group says they are not a "silver bullet".
They would be complicated to put in place. Plus, unions strongly oppose them and the new law seems to have added another layer of bitterness to the dispute.They would be complicated to put in place. Plus, unions strongly oppose them and the new law seems to have added another layer of bitterness to the dispute.
Aslef has made it clear that it would respond to minimum service levels by setting more strikes.Aslef has made it clear that it would respond to minimum service levels by setting more strikes.
Will you be affected by the strikes? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Will you be affected by the strikes? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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