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Train strikes: What are the dates and which lines are affected? Train strikes: What are the dates and which lines are affected?
(about 4 hours later)
Rail workers are taking part in a series of strikes over pay and conditions. Several different trade unions are involved in the action, which has caused widespread disruption to services across England, Scotland and Wales. The RMT union has called off a series of strikes planned for the coming week, but some disruption is still expected.
On Friday 4 November, rail services in the West Midlands have been disrupted by action called by the Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA). On Friday 4 November, rail services in the West Midlands have been disrupted by action called by another union representing rail workers, the Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA).
West Midlands Trains says it will operate limited services between Birmingham and Liverpool and Birmingham and London between 07:30 and 19:30 GMT on Friday, but all of its other trains will be cancelled. West Midlands Trains said it would operate limited services between Birmingham and Liverpool and Birmingham and London between 07:30 and 19:30 GMT on Friday, but all of its other trains would be cancelled.
Strike action disrupts West Midlands Trains rail servicesStrike action disrupts West Midlands Trains rail services
When are the next strikes? Train strikes from Saturday suspended, union says
On 5, 7 and 9 November, the RMT union, which represents rail workers, holds more strikes. When were strikes expected?
This involves staff at Network Rail, which employs signalling workers across England, Scotland and Wales - so there will be a major impact on services across the network. The RMT union had planned strikes on 5, 7 and 9 November, but it has now called those off and said it would enter a "period of intensive negotiations with Network Rail and the train operating companies".
On 5 and 9 November, the RMT strike will include its members belonging to 14 train companies. But that was announced too late to prevent disruption on Saturday 5 November, with only 20% of services expected to run and only between 07:30 and 18:30.
Network Rail workers belonging to another union, the TSSA, were also due to strike on 5, 7 and 9 November but these have been called off. However, a number of strikes involving individual train companies are still due to go ahead during November.Network Rail workers belonging to another union, the TSSA, were also due to strike on 5, 7 and 9 November but these have been called off. However, a number of strikes involving individual train companies are still due to go ahead during November.
In a separate dispute, RMT rail workers at London Underground and London Overground will strike on 10 November.In a separate dispute, RMT rail workers at London Underground and London Overground will strike on 10 November.
Two strikes that had been planned for 3 November were moved to avoid a clash with the Royal British Legion's London Poppy Day appeal.
Rail strike date moved over London Poppy Day clashRail strike date moved over London Poppy Day clash
The RMT has now begun a new ballot which, if members vote in favour, may mean strike action continues into next spring. The RMT is holding a new ballot which, if members vote in favour, may mean there will still be strike action in the coming months. "If we have to take strike action during the next six months to secure a deal, we will," the RMT said.
Will trains be running?Will trains be running?
Revised timetables have been published in advance of the strike days on 5, 7 and 9 November. Revised timetables had already been published in advance of the strike days on 5, 7 and 9 November.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train companies, says about 20% of services are expected to run, and those that operate will start later and finish earlier, between 07:30 and 18:30 GMT. Tim Shoveller, Network Rail's chief negotiator, said: "The very late notice means that services for tomorrow cannot be reinstated and will remain extremely limited and while we, and our train company partners, will work without pause over the weekend, there will be limited ability to change the 'strike timetable' for Monday."
In some parts of the country there will be no services running at all. Rugby union fans are being urged not to try to travel to Wales's match against New Zealand in Cardiff on Saturday by train, because most services across Wales will be cancelled. In some parts of the country there were no services scheduled at all. Rugby union fans were urged not to try to travel to Wales's match against New Zealand in Cardiff on Saturday by train, because most services across Wales would be cancelled.
Disruption is also expected on the morning after each strike day, because it takes a while for services to get back to normal. Disruption is also expected on the morning after the planned strike days, because it takes a while for services to get back to normal.
Why are railway workers going on strike? Why have railway workers been going on strike?
The unions are in dispute with the government and rail companies about pay, job cuts and changes to terms and conditions.The unions are in dispute with the government and rail companies about pay, job cuts and changes to terms and conditions.
Talks are still taking place, and Network Rail is preparing to make a revised offer to unions. The RMT said it had now been promised an offer from the train operating companies.
RMT leader Mick Lynch said in late September that talks with the government had offered a "good start", but that "concrete change" was needed.RMT leader Mick Lynch said in late September that talks with the government had offered a "good start", but that "concrete change" was needed.
On pay, the unions say salaries should increase to reflect the rising cost of living.On pay, the unions say salaries should increase to reflect the rising cost of living.
Network Rail said the offer it made in July is worth 8% over two years, but depended on workers accepting its "modernisation plans". However, the RMT - which represents rail workers - said this was a "paltry sum" and represented a real-terms pay cut.Network Rail said the offer it made in July is worth 8% over two years, but depended on workers accepting its "modernisation plans". However, the RMT - which represents rail workers - said this was a "paltry sum" and represented a real-terms pay cut.
The RMT said another issue was Network Rail's plans to cut 2,500 maintenance jobs, as it tries to save £2bn over the next two years. The union described those jobs as "safety critical".The RMT said another issue was Network Rail's plans to cut 2,500 maintenance jobs, as it tries to save £2bn over the next two years. The union described those jobs as "safety critical".
Network Rail said there would be no more than 2,000 job losses - and that all redundancies could be voluntary. It said it would not consider any changes that would make the railways less safe.Network Rail said there would be no more than 2,000 job losses - and that all redundancies could be voluntary. It said it would not consider any changes that would make the railways less safe.
The RMT said that while Network Rail had originally been "intent on imposing changes to maintenance without agreement", they had now "rowed back and will continue discussions on the basis that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed".
ScotRail strike threat as union rejects 5% pay offerScotRail strike threat as union rejects 5% pay offer
The TSSA is also demanding a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies and no changes to terms and conditions to which it has not agreed.The TSSA is also demanding a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies and no changes to terms and conditions to which it has not agreed.
The Aslef union, representing train drivers, said some members had not had a pay rise since 2019.The Aslef union, representing train drivers, said some members had not had a pay rise since 2019.
The government said the railway system needed modernisation and had to be financially sustainable for the long term. It said £16bn of taxpayers' money was used to support the railways during the Covid pandemic.The government said the railway system needed modernisation and had to be financially sustainable for the long term. It said £16bn of taxpayers' money was used to support the railways during the Covid pandemic.
However, with passenger numbers still down by one-fifth, it said changes were needed.However, with passenger numbers still down by one-fifth, it said changes were needed.
How much are rail workers paid?How much are rail workers paid?
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has estimated the average salary of rail workers in 2022 as £45,919, based on five different job categories. If drivers are excluded, its estimate is £39,518.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has estimated the average salary of rail workers in 2022 as £45,919, based on five different job categories. If drivers are excluded, its estimate is £39,518.
The RMT said that figure was still too high because it excluded rail cleaning staff who are not categorised as rail workers by the ONS.The RMT said that figure was still too high because it excluded rail cleaning staff who are not categorised as rail workers by the ONS.
Read more: How much are rail workers paid?Read more: How much are rail workers paid?
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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