Yahoo Finance Train drivers join strike as looming rail chaos spreads
Train drivers are to strike over pay and more rail workers are to be balloted for industrial action in growing disputes in the industry which threaten huge travel disruption in the coming weeks.
Train drivers union Aslef announced strikes at three companies in separate rows over pay, while the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) served notice of an industrial action ballot.
Members of Aslef on Hull Trains will strike on 26 June, at Greater Anglia on 23 June and on Croydon Tramlink on 28 and 29 June, as well as 28 and 13 and 14 July.
The TSSA said it will ballot hundreds of workers for industrial action at train operator Avanti West Coast in a dispute over pay, conditions and job security.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are set to strike on Network Rail and 13 train companies later this month, while the RMT and Unite have announced a walkout on London Underground as well.
The TSSA said it is demanding from Avanti a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies for 2022, no unagreed changes to terms and conditions, and a pay increase which reflects the rising cost of living.
Voting will start on 15 June and close two weeks later, with the union saying strikes could start in mid-July if there is support from members.
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “Avanti West Coast needs to come to the table to face the concerns of their staff and tell their paymasters in government that widespread rail disruption is on the cards.
“Avanti West Coast staff are asking for some basic fair treatment: not to be sacked from their jobs; a fair pay rise in the face of a cost of living crisis; and no race to the bottom on terms and conditions.
“We could be seeing a summer of discontent across our railways. We are preparing for all options, including coordinated strike action.”
Avanti operates passenger train services from London Euston to Birmingham, Crewe, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow.
PA
