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Train strikes: All you need to know about action in February and March Train strikes: All you need to know about action in February and March
(10 days later)
The latest wave of rail disruption caused by strike action by members of the train drivers' union Aslef has come to an end. Train drivers at five companies have become the latest to vote in favour of continuing strike action for a further six months as part of their dispute about pay and conditions.
But a ban on staff working overtime is in place until the end of Tuesday 6 February, which could cause further cancellations and delays. Separately, their union, Aslef, has announced walkouts on Northern and LNER, as well as a ban on overtime.
Train companies are not using a new law allowing them to tell some staff to work so that a minimum level of services can run. Staff working on the London Overground are already set to strike across four days in February and March.
Staff working on the London Overground will also walk out over pay across four days in February and March.
When are the strikes in February and March?When are the strikes in February and March?
More than 300 London Overground workers will go on strike from midnight on Monday 19 February until the end of Tuesday 20 February, and from midnight on Monday 4 March until the end of Tuesday 5 March.More than 300 London Overground workers will go on strike from midnight on Monday 19 February until the end of Tuesday 20 February, and from midnight on Monday 4 March until the end of Tuesday 5 March.
The RMT union which represents London Overground workers said security, station, revenue and control staff would be taking industrial action.The RMT union which represents London Overground workers said security, station, revenue and control staff would be taking industrial action.
Members of Aslef will also refuse to work overtime between Monday 29 January and Tuesday 6 February. This may cause some cancellations and delays. Separately, the train drivers' union Aslef has now announced strikes at two companies - LNER and Northern - on Friday 1 March.
There will also be a ban on working overtime shifts from Thursday 29 February to Saturday 2 March.
And train drivers at Chiltern, c2c, East Midlands, Northern and TransPennine railways have also voted to continue strike action for six months. They join Aslef members at 11 other rail companies who in December backed a continuation of strikes.
They overwhelmingly voted in favour of further walkouts, though no dates have been confirmed.
Passengers are advised to check before they travel. The latest information can be found on National Rail.Passengers are advised to check before they travel. The latest information can be found on National Rail.
What action has already been taken?What action has already been taken?
There have been service cancellations and delays during the latest strike days. There were service cancellations and delays during the most recent strike days.
Different operators were affected on different days, with some running no trains.Different operators were affected on different days, with some running no trains.
In November last year, RMT members, including guards and ticket office staff, voted to accept a pay offer. This included a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022-23 as well as job security guarantees.In November last year, RMT members, including guards and ticket office staff, voted to accept a pay offer. This included a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022-23 as well as job security guarantees.
Their acceptance means they will no longer be involved in industrial action until at least the spring.Their acceptance 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 re-ballot members every six months to see if they want to continue with industrial action.Unions in disputes need to re-ballot 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.Currently, unions are obliged to give at least 14 days' notice of any strike action.
What are the strikes about?What are the strikes about?
Aslef is seeking better pay for its members.Aslef is seeking better pay for its members.
However, train operators say ways of working need to change for wages to rise, because of financial challenges and fairness to taxpayers.However, train operators say ways of working need to change for wages to rise, because of financial challenges and fairness to taxpayers.
Aslef says drivers are being asked to sacrifice working conditions in exchange for a below-inflation wage increase.Aslef says drivers are being asked to sacrifice working conditions in exchange for a below-inflation wage increase.
How much are rail workers paid?How much are rail workers paid?
In April 2023, Aslef's executive committee rejected 4% pay rises for two years in a row. This was 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. This was 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 urged the union to give members a vote. The Department for Transport says the union needs to do the "right thing" and give members a vote.
In a separate dispute, the strikes by Aslef members at LNER and Northern are about a "persistent failure to comply with existing agreements".
The RMT union is seeking an above inflation pay offer for London Overground workers.The RMT union is seeking an above inflation pay offer for London Overground workers.
Arriva Rail London, which has the London Overground contract, says it had offered a good pay award.Arriva Rail London, which has the London Overground contract, says it had offered a good pay award.
What is the new minimum service levels law?What is the new minimum service levels law?
The government passed a new law which means train companies can require enough staff to work on strike days to run 40% of services.The government passed a new law which means train companies can require enough staff to work on strike days to run 40% of services.
Currently, few or no services usually run when train drivers strike.Currently, few or no services usually run when train drivers strike.
The Department for Transport said it expects employers to use minimum service levels "if appropriate to do so, and to deliver the best possible service".The Department for Transport said it expects employers to use minimum service levels "if appropriate to do so, and to deliver the best possible service".
PM 'disappointed' as new rail strike law not usedPM 'disappointed' as new rail strike law not used
But the rules are complicated to put in place, says BBC transport correspondent Katy Austin. One source told the BBC it means co-ordinating a reduced timetable with other operators in a short space of time. Industry insiders told the BBC the rules were complicated to put in place. One source said it meant co-ordinating a reduced timetable with other operators in a short space of time.
Plus, unions strongly oppose them.Plus, unions strongly oppose them.
Train operator LNER, which operates on the East Coast Mainline, reportedly planned to use the rules during a walk-out in February. Train operator LNER, which operates on the East Coast Mainline, reportedly planned to use the rules during a walkout in February.
In response, Aslef called for five extra days of strikes, before both sides rowed back.In response, Aslef called for five extra days of strikes, before both sides rowed back.
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.
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 Office for National Statistics (ONS) says median pay for "train and tram drivers" is just under £59,000.
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.
Train companies and the government say the offer rejected by Aslef would take average train driver pay to £65,000.Train companies and the government say the offer rejected by Aslef would take average train driver pay to £65,000.
The average salary of rail workers in 2022 was £45,919, according to the 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.
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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