The drivers are members of the Aslef union, which has been locked in a series of pay disputes. The long-distance rail companies facing stops are LNER, which runs services on its flagship East Coast Main Line from London King’s Cross to Yorkshire, Newcastle and Scotland. GWR, operating from London Paddington to South Wales and the West of England. and the TransPennine Express, connecting northern England and southern Scotland. In addition, five commuter-focused operators are affected: Chiltern, London Overground (operated by Arriva), Northern, Southeastern and West Midlands. The union described the majorities in favor of action as “overwhelming”. London Overground members voted with a majority of 98.9 per cent to 93 per cent. Only seven drivers voted against the action, with 637 in favour. The lowest vote in favor was in GWR, with a majority of 86 per cent on a vote of 86 per cent. No dates have been announced and at least two weeks’ notice must be given for any strike. Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “We don’t want to inconvenience passengers – our friends and family also use public transport – and we don’t want to lose money by striking, but we have been forced into this position by the companies led by the government. “Many of our members – who were, you’ll remember, the men and women who moved essential workers and goods across the country during the pandemic – haven’t had a pay raise since 2019. “With inflation running north of 10%, that means these drivers have had a real pay cut over the past three years. We want an increase in line with the cost of living – we want to be able to buy, in 2022, what we could buy in 2021. “It’s not unreasonable to ask your employer to make sure you’re not worse off for three years in a row. Especially as the train companies are doing very well, thank you, outside of British Rail – with big profits, dividends for shareholders and big salaries for managers – and drivers don’t want to work more for less.” Transport secretary Grant Shapps condemned the votes in a tweet designed to boost his campaign to take over from Boris Johnson: “Labour-affiliated unions have announced driver strikes. On a salary of almost £60,000 it is not fair for drivers to hurt those on lower wages with more walkouts. “As prime minister, I would stand up to the unions and make it difficult to hold our country to ransom.” Last month members of the RMT union held the first national strike in three decades. A skeleton service operated on about half the rail network. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “We congratulate our friends at Ashlef on their excellent result and the huge mandate they have for rail strike action. “It shows that rail workers in every category, from cleaners, catering staff, maintenance staff and drivers are fed up with real pay cuts, attacks on job security and working conditions. “When rail unions and others come together, they are an unstoppable force in the workplace and in wider society. “Grand Shapps needs to stop dwelling on his doomed Tory leadership bid and get back to focusing on resolving this dispute.” Another union, the Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA), is expected to announce a vote for industrial action following its members’ vote on Network Rail. The union represents white workers. Strikes are likely to be coordinated across the rail network. A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said: “We want to see rail unions working with train operators on the reforms needed to secure a bright long-term future for the industry, including working together with Aslef to provide more accurate, reliable services that we know passengers care about. “Rather than cause further disruption to passengers and businesses, we urge Aslef’s leadership to continue talks.” The Independent also sought a response from Network Rail. News of Aslef’s votes came shortly after the train operator accepted an improved offer, which included a 5 percent increase in basic pay as well as additional improvements to other terms and conditions. Services in Scotland have been severely reduced for weeks as drivers chose not to work overtime.
