Train drivers go on strike, disrupting rail services in the UK

Due to pressure from rising costs of living and decades-high inflation, train drivers embarked on a fresh strike that disrupted rail services throughout much of the United Kingdom, including popular tourist routes.

Express services to London’s Gatwick, Stansted, and Heathrow airports will also be impacted by the three-day rolling strike being participated in by members of the Aslef union, which represents train drivers.

The “cost of living crisis created by the economic ineptitude of the Tories (Conservatives) that have been in power for 14 years,” according to union leader Mick Whelan, was the reason behind the strike action.

A general election is anticipated to be called by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak later this year, as current polls indicate that Keir Starmer’s main opposition Labour party will handily defeat his government.

For wage increases, workers in a variety of industries, including healthcare, law, education, and the docks, have gone on strike. The latest Aslef strike was scheduled to begin on the first day, affecting five major rail operating firms.

On Saturday and Monday, more train drivers from various firms would strike, and overtime prohibitions would also be put into place.

Last November members of the RMT rail union, which represents various types of rail workers, voted in favour of a pay deal that ended more than a year of walkouts.

“Aslef is the only rail union continuing to strike, targeting passengers and preventing their own members from voting on the pay offer that remains on the table,” a Department for Transport spokesperson said.

“Having resolved disputes with all other rail unions, the Transport Secretary and rail minister have ensured that a pay offer is on the table –- taking train drivers’ average salaries from £60,000 up to £65,000 ($75,800-$82,100),” the spokesperson said.

Aslef chief Whelan, speaking in front of striking drivers at London’s Euston station, said that offer from last April would never be accepted by members, describing it as “ridiculous” and a “land grab for all the terms and conditions we have negotiated over the years”.