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Train strikes: When are they and why are they taking place? Train strikes: When are they and why are they taking place?
(2 days later)
More train strikes have been scheduled for late May and early June. More train strikes are scheduled in June, with workers walking out this Friday and Saturday.
Members of the RMT and Aslef unions are taking industrial action.Members of the RMT and Aslef unions are taking industrial action.
When are the next rail strikes?When are the next rail strikes?
Strikes have been announced on a series of days in May and June: Strikes have been announced on:
Wednesday 31 May (Aslef)
Friday 2 June (RMT)Friday 2 June (RMT)
Saturday 3 June, the day of the FA Cup final (Aslef)Saturday 3 June, the day of the FA Cup final (Aslef)
Aslef has also called an overtime ban at 15 train operating companies on 1 June, which is expected to lead to some cancellations. Aslef also called an overtime ban at 15 train operating companies on 1 June, which is expected to lead to some cancellations.
Which lines will be affected?Which lines will be affected?
According to National Rail, the following rail operators will see services disrupted by the strikes:According to National Rail, the following rail operators will see services disrupted by the strikes:
Avanti West CoastAvanti West Coast
C2CC2C
Chiltern RailwaysChiltern Railways
CrossCountryCrossCountry
East Midlands RailwayEast Midlands Railway
Great NorthernGreat Northern
Great Western RailwayGreat Western Railway
Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express)Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express)
LNERLNER
London Northwestern RailwayLondon Northwestern Railway
Northern RailNorthern Rail
South Western RailwaySouth Western Railway
Southeastern (Aslef days only)Southeastern (Aslef days only)
Southern (including Gatwick Express)Southern (including Gatwick Express)
ThameslinkThameslink
TransPennine ExpressTransPennine Express
West Midlands RailwayWest Midlands Railway
Will some trains still run?Will some trains still run?
Thousands of trains are expected to be cancelled on each strike day causing disruption to millions of passengers. On lines where there are services, they will start later and finish earlier than normal.Thousands of trains are expected to be cancelled on each strike day causing disruption to millions of passengers. On lines where there are services, they will start later and finish earlier than normal.
This varies depending on the operator.This varies depending on the operator.
On Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express and Southeastern, for example - all trains are cancelled on 31 May and 3 June. On Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express and Southeastern, for example - all trains are cancelled on 3 June.
Others will run a skeleton service on core routes so passengers are advised to check with the operator before travelling on strike days.Others will run a skeleton service on core routes so passengers are advised to check with the operator before travelling on strike days.
Why have railway workers been on strike?Why have railway workers been on strike?
Unions say any pay offer should reflect the rising cost of living - with the inflation rate only just having dipped below 10%.Unions say any pay offer should reflect the rising cost of living - with the inflation rate only just having dipped below 10%.
But the rail industry is under pressure to save money, after the pandemic left a hole in its finances.But the rail industry is under pressure to save money, after the pandemic left a hole in its finances.
Bosses say reforms need to be agreed to afford pay increases and modernise the railway.Bosses say reforms need to be agreed to afford pay increases and modernise the railway.
Which workers are allowed to go on strike?Which workers are allowed to go on strike?
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 average salary of rail workers in 2022 was £45,919, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
If drivers are excluded, its estimate is £39,518. However, the RMT union said that figure was too high because it does not include rail cleaning staff.If drivers are excluded, 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.The ONS says median pay for "train and tram drivers" is just under £59,000.
Although they tend to be better paid than other rail workers, Mick Whelan, general secretary of the Aslef union, told BBC News on 12 May, that train drivers "haven't had a pay rise for four years". He was just referring to the ones who are taking industrial action. Although they tend to be better paid than other rail workers, Mick Whelan, general secretary of the Aslef union, told BBC News on 12 May that train drivers "haven't had a pay rise for four years". He was just referring to the ones who are taking industrial action.
That's because a new pay deal hasn't been reached since their last agreement ended in 2019.That's because a new pay deal hasn't been reached since their last agreement ended in 2019.
However, Transport Minister Huw Merriman said the pay of train drivers "has gone up by 39% since 2011... the highest increase of any employment group."However, Transport Minister Huw Merriman said the pay of train drivers "has gone up by 39% since 2011... the highest increase of any employment group."
He's right about the 39% increase, but we haven't been able to establish whether it's the highest increase for any employment group. That's because of changes to the way the figures have been released over the last decade.He's right about the 39% increase, but we haven't been able to establish whether it's the highest increase for any employment group. That's because of changes to the way the figures have been released over the last decade.
How much are rail workers paid?How much are rail workers paid?
What has happened to pay in the UK?What has happened to pay in the UK?
What deal have rail workers been offered?What deal have rail workers been offered?
The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents the 14 train companies, made an offer that would have seen rail workers receive a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022. It would then negotiate reforms ahead of a second year's pay rise with individual operators.The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents the 14 train companies, made an offer that would have seen rail workers receive a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022. It would then negotiate reforms ahead of a second year's pay rise with individual operators.
On 5 May, RMT members voted to extend the strike mandate for another six months.On 5 May, RMT members voted to extend the strike mandate for another six months.
The Aslef union, meanwhile, has rejected a two-year offer which would see drivers get a backdated pay rise of 4% for 2022 and a 4% increase this year.The Aslef union, meanwhile, has rejected a two-year offer which would see drivers get a backdated pay rise of 4% for 2022 and a 4% increase this year.
Separately, a revised offer from Network Rail was accepted by RMT members on 20 March, ending that dispute.Separately, a revised offer from Network Rail was accepted by RMT members on 20 March, ending that dispute.
The union said the offer amounted to an uplift on salaries of between 14.4% for the lowest paid grades to 9.2% for the highest paid.The union said the offer amounted to an uplift on salaries of between 14.4% for the lowest paid grades to 9.2% for the highest paid.
How much notice do unions have to give?How much notice do unions have to give?
Unions are obliged to give at least 14 days' notice of any strike action.Unions are obliged to give at least 14 days' notice of any strike action.
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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Related TopicsRelated Topics
Rail travelRail travel
RMTRMT
Strike actionStrike action