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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?
(21 days later)
The latest wave of train strikes this week culminates on Saturday, the day of the FA Cup Final at Wembley. Rail workers will go on strike for another three days in July.
Members of the train drivers' union Aslef are walking out following a day of action on Wednesday, with stoppages by the RMT union on Friday. The action is part of their ongoing dispute about pay and conditions.
Which lines will be affected? When are the strikes and which lines will be affected?
According to National Rail, the following rail operators will see services disrupted by the strikes: Strikes will be held on Thursday 20, Saturday 22 and Saturday 29 July.
Members of the RMT union will be taking action at 14 rail companies:
Avanti West CoastAvanti West Coast
C2CC2C
Chiltern RailwaysChiltern Railways
CrossCountryCrossCountry
East Midlands RailwayEast Midlands Railway
Great Northern GTR
Great Western RailwayGreat Western Railway
Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express) Greater Anglia
LNERLNER
London Northwestern Railway Northern Trains
Northern Rail Southeastern
South Western RailwaySouth Western Railway
Southeastern (Aslef days only)
Southern (including Gatwick Express)
Thameslink
TransPennine ExpressTransPennine Express
West Midlands Railway West Midlands Trains
GTR operates Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express.
Greater Anglia includes Stansted Express.
Will some trains still run?Will some trains still run?
Thousands of trains are expected to be cancelled causing disruption to millions of passengers. On lines where there are services, they will start later and finish earlier than normal. The RMT said 20,000 of its members, including guards, train managers and station staff, would walk out.
This varies depending on the operator. On previous strike days there have been thousands of cancellations, with some lines not operating at all.
On Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express and Southeastern, for example - all trains are cancelled on 3 June. On lines where there have been services, they have tended to start later and finish earlier than normal.
Others will run a skeleton service on core routes so passengers are advised to check with the operator before travelling. Passengers are advised to check with the operator before travelling.
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 recently 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 (because they tend to be members of the Aslef union, not RMT) 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. Aslef members have also been 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