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Wales train strike causes new year chaos for travellers Wales train strike causes new year chaos for travellers
(35 minutes later)
Train services across Wales came to a halt on Monday because of a drivers’ strike, causing misery for tens of thousands of commuters and travellers.Train services across Wales came to a halt on Monday because of a drivers’ strike, causing misery for tens of thousands of commuters and travellers.
On the first day back to work and education for millions after the festive break, many were forced to drive or catch taxis or buses, which caused congestion on main roads; others walked or cycled, while many opted to work from home or take an extra day’s holiday.On the first day back to work and education for millions after the festive break, many were forced to drive or catch taxis or buses, which caused congestion on main roads; others walked or cycled, while many opted to work from home or take an extra day’s holiday.
Members of the Aself union walked out for 24 hours after a dispute over terms and conditions with Arriva Trains Wales (ATW). Members of the Aslef union walked out for 24 hours after a dispute over terms and conditions with Arriva Trains Wales (ATW).
ATW said none of its services in Wales would operate on Monday and some early trains could be disrupted on Tuesday.There would be no replacement bus services as there were not enough vehicles to cover the 1,000-plus rail services it ran daily. ATW said none of its services in Wales would operate on Monday and some early trains could be disrupted on Tuesday. There would be no replacement bus services as there were not enough vehicles to cover the 1,000-plus rail services it ran daily.
Related: Wales train strike: Aslef members at Arriva begin 24-hour walkoutRelated: Wales train strike: Aslef members at Arriva begin 24-hour walkout
It meant huge problems for people hoping to use rail routes including in the south Wales valleys and around Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham. There was also disruption to services between Wales and English cities and towns including Manchester, Birmingham, Chester and Crewe.It meant huge problems for people hoping to use rail routes including in the south Wales valleys and around Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham. There was also disruption to services between Wales and English cities and towns including Manchester, Birmingham, Chester and Crewe.
The dispute has also affected many people trying to travel home after holidays away, such as students, many of whom face the first day of exams.The dispute has also affected many people trying to travel home after holidays away, such as students, many of whom face the first day of exams.
ATW apologised for the cancellations. A spokesperson said: “We deeply regret this disruption and continue to do all we can to avert strike action, however we are advising customers to make alternative travel arrangements for Monday January 4 and to check their travel plans for Tuesday morning, January 5.ATW apologised for the cancellations. A spokesperson said: “We deeply regret this disruption and continue to do all we can to avert strike action, however we are advising customers to make alternative travel arrangements for Monday January 4 and to check their travel plans for Tuesday morning, January 5.
“An indefinite train driver overtime ban is also currently in force which may impact some timetabled services until the dispute is resolved.”“An indefinite train driver overtime ban is also currently in force which may impact some timetabled services until the dispute is resolved.”
Gareth Thomas, human resources director for ATW, said: “We are extremely disappointed that the train drivers unions have not accepted our latest offer of improvements to terms, conditions and pay for their members, and that they have opted to take industrial action, even though we submitted a revised proposal to them on December 23, following productive pre-Christmas talks.Gareth Thomas, human resources director for ATW, said: “We are extremely disappointed that the train drivers unions have not accepted our latest offer of improvements to terms, conditions and pay for their members, and that they have opted to take industrial action, even though we submitted a revised proposal to them on December 23, following productive pre-Christmas talks.
“Directors at Arriva Trains Wales have been in contact almost every day with union officials in a bid to resolve this issue and stress the urgency of the situation if disruption to customers was to be avoided.”“Directors at Arriva Trains Wales have been in contact almost every day with union officials in a bid to resolve this issue and stress the urgency of the situation if disruption to customers was to be avoided.”
A deal between ATW and Aslef was agreed in November stipulating that the maximum working day for drivers would be nine and a half hours. However, later that month the company sent the union a document saying there could be exceptional circumstances when they might need to work for longer.A deal between ATW and Aslef was agreed in November stipulating that the maximum working day for drivers would be nine and a half hours. However, later that month the company sent the union a document saying there could be exceptional circumstances when they might need to work for longer.
These include factors such as engineering works, special events, staff shortages, police operations – which the union argues can happen frequently. In December it announced that drivers had voted overwhelmingly to strike, claiming management had reneged on its agreement. It said more than 80% of members had voted to walk out. These include factors such as engineering works, special events, staff shortages and police operations – which the union argues can happen frequently. In December it announced that drivers had voted overwhelmingly to strike, claiming management had reneged on its agreement. It said more than 80% of members had voted to walk out.
The company tried to stave off the strike just before Christmas but did not put a new formal offer on the table.The company tried to stave off the strike just before Christmas but did not put a new formal offer on the table.
Simon Weller, Aslef’s national organiser who is leading negotiations for the drivers, said: “The company has not made a new offer. It has sent us a form of words. But it is not new and it is not an offer.”Simon Weller, Aslef’s national organiser who is leading negotiations for the drivers, said: “The company has not made a new offer. It has sent us a form of words. But it is not new and it is not an offer.”
He denied that striking on the first day after the holidays was cynical. Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, he said: “Any day is going to be disruptive … There is never a good day to have a strike. Why not today?” He accepted that calling a strike on a busy work day was “economic leverage”.He denied that striking on the first day after the holidays was cynical. Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, he said: “Any day is going to be disruptive … There is never a good day to have a strike. Why not today?” He accepted that calling a strike on a busy work day was “economic leverage”.
Aslef said it was available for talks to resolve the dispute but added there was nothing at the moment to discuss. It claimed the company was trying to “railroad through” changes to terms and conditions.Aslef said it was available for talks to resolve the dispute but added there was nothing at the moment to discuss. It claimed the company was trying to “railroad through” changes to terms and conditions.
Mick Cash, leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, whose members at ATW are also on strike, said: “RMT salutes our driver members on Arriva Trains Wales who are standing rock-solid, shoulder to shoulder with Aslef colleagues in the action which has closed down all services.Mick Cash, leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, whose members at ATW are also on strike, said: “RMT salutes our driver members on Arriva Trains Wales who are standing rock-solid, shoulder to shoulder with Aslef colleagues in the action which has closed down all services.
“This strike is about basic workplace justice and decent working conditions and it is down to the company to recognise the anger amongst the workforce shown this morning and to meet with the unions for genuine and meaningful talks on the issues in dispute.”“This strike is about basic workplace justice and decent working conditions and it is down to the company to recognise the anger amongst the workforce shown this morning and to meet with the unions for genuine and meaningful talks on the issues in dispute.”
The leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, said the strike would cause immeasurable chaos for commuters and called on the Welsh government to minimise the disruption.The leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, said the strike would cause immeasurable chaos for commuters and called on the Welsh government to minimise the disruption.
A Welsh government spokesman called for the situation to be resolved as soon as possible.A Welsh government spokesman called for the situation to be resolved as soon as possible.