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Train strikes: No c2c, Great Northern or Gatwick Express services on Monday Train strikes: How May's industrial action at 16 rail companies affects you
(17 days later)
Rail passengers are being warned of major disruption on Monday as train drivers walk out over pay and working conditions. Rail travel during the week of the May Bank Holiday is to be disrupted by new industrial action.
Staff at 16 train companies have been taking part in rolling one-day walkouts between Friday 5 April and Monday 8 April. Train drivers at 16 rail companies are holding strikes between Tuesday 7 and Thursday 9 May. An overtime ban will fall between Monday 6 and Saturday 11 May.
But London Underground drivers' strikes on Monday and in May have been called off. What lines are affected in May's strikes?
What lines have been affected on Monday? The action is likely to lead to cancellations, delays and no services in some areas.
Passengers are advised to check before they travel, with the action likely to lead to cancellations, delays and no services in some areas. Passengers are advised to check before they travel.
Train drivers who are members of the Aslef union are on strike for 24 hours from midnight at these firms: Drivers from the train companies below will stage walkouts on different days:
Monday 8 April: c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern, Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line and depot drivers, and SWR Island Line Tuesday 7 May: c2c, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line and Island Line
South Western Railway will operate a "significantly reduced" service on a small number of lines, with trains running between 07:00 BST and 19:00 BST. Wednesday 8 May: Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Trains
Southern said there will be no trains running across the majority of its network, but there will be a limited non-stop service between London Victoria and Gatwick. Thursday 9 May: LNER, Northern Trains and TransPennine Express
There will be no Thameslink services running, except for a limited non-stop service between London Kings Cross and Cambridge and another shuttle service between London St Pancras, Luton and Luton Airport Parkway. A London Underground drivers' strike on Saturday 4 May has been cancelled.
There will be no Great Northern or Gatwick Express services. Train drivers set to strike again in April
Southeastern said most of its routes and stations will be closed, with an extremely limited service where trains are running.
No c2c trains will run, while Greater Anglia said it will run an hourly train service between Norwich/Colchester and London Liverpool Street; Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street; Stansted Airport and London Liverpool Street.
A bi-hourly train service will run between Cambridge and London.
Aslef members will also refuse to work on rest days from Monday 8 to Tuesday 9 April. This is also likely to cause delays and cancellations.
For up-to-date information about whether services are running, check the National Rail website.
Strikes by London Underground drivers had been scheduled for Monday 8 April and Saturday 4 May but have now been called off.
National Express said it was adding thousands of extras seats across its coach services.
Can I get my money back for strike days?Can I get my money back for strike days?
Rail passengers with advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train they are booked on is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled due to strikes.   Rail passengers with advance tickets can get refunds if the train they are booked on is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled due to strikes.  
If passengers have a return ticket they may also be entitled to a fee-free refund if any part of the journey is cancelled. If passengers have a return ticket they may also be entitled to a fee-free refund if part of the journey is cancelled.
Season ticket holders (flexi, monthly or longer) who cannot travel, can claim 100% compensation for strike dates through the Delay Repay scheme. Season ticket holders (flexi, monthly or longer) who cannot travel, can claim 100% compensation for strike dates.
What are the strikes about?What are the strikes about?
Aslef is seeking better pay for its members and says drivers are being asked to sacrifice working conditions in exchange for a wage increase. Aslef, the train drivers' union, is seeking better pay for its members. It says drivers are being asked to sacrifice working conditions in exchange for a wage increase.
In April 2023, it rejected an offer which would have seen a 4% pay rise two years in a row. There have been no formal talks since. Strike action began in July 2022 with no formal talks since April 2023, when the most recent pay deal was rejected.
The offer, described as "risible" by Aslef, included 4% pay rises two years in a row, on condition drivers accept changes to training and negotiate new work patterns.
Train operators say ways of working need to change for wages to rise, because of financial challenges and fairness to taxpayers.Train operators say ways of working need to change for wages to rise, because of financial challenges and fairness to taxpayers.
The Department for Transport says the union needs to do the "right thing" and give members a vote. The body which negotiates on behalf of the rail companies, the Rail Delivery Group, says it continues to "seek a fair agreement".
Are there more strikes planned? Are more train strikes planned?
Unions in disputes need to re-ballot members every six months to see if they want to continue with industrial action. Unions need to re-ballot members every six months to see if they want to continue with industrial action.
Currently, unions are obliged to give at least 14 days' notice of any strike action.Currently, unions are obliged to give at least 14 days' notice of any strike action.
In November last year, RMT members, including guards and ticket office staff, voted to accept a pay offer. This included a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022-23 and job security guarantees.In November last year, RMT members, including guards and ticket office staff, voted to accept a pay offer. This included a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022-23 and job security guarantees.
Their acceptance means they will no longer be involved in industrial action until at least the spring.
Talks over future pay deals and working practices will continue.Talks over future pay deals and working practices will continue.
What is the minimum service levels law?What is the minimum service levels law?
A new law means train companies can require enough staff to work on strike days to run 40% of services.A new law means train companies can require enough staff to work on strike days to run 40% of services.
The Department for Transport said it expects employers to use minimum service levels "if appropriate to do so, and to deliver the best possible service".The Department for Transport said it expects employers to use minimum service levels "if appropriate to do so, and to deliver the best possible service".
PM 'disappointed' as new rail strike law not usedPM 'disappointed' as new rail strike law not used
However, industry insiders told the BBC the rules were complicated to put in place. One source said it meant co-ordinating a reduced timetable with other operators in a short space of time.However, industry insiders told the BBC the rules were complicated to put in place. One source said it meant co-ordinating a reduced timetable with other operators in a short space of time.
The Rail Delivery Group, an membership organisation of Britain's train operating companies, said minimum services levels was a potential tool but not a "silver bullet".The Rail Delivery Group, an membership organisation of Britain's train operating companies, said minimum services levels was a potential tool but not a "silver bullet".
Unions strongly oppose it.Unions strongly oppose it.
How much are rail workers paid?How much are rail workers paid?
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says median pay for "train and tram drivers" is just under £59,000.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says median pay for "train and tram drivers" is just under £59,000.
Train companies and the government say the offer rejected by Aslef would take average train driver pay to £65,000.Train companies and the government say the offer rejected by Aslef would take average train driver pay to £65,000.
The average salary of rail workers in 2022 was £45,919, according to the ONS.The average salary of rail workers in 2022 was £45,919, according to the ONS.
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.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.
Will you be affected by the strikes? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Will you be affected by the strikes? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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