Train strikes Birmingham: Aslef and RMT unions announce more days of industrial action

The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (Aslef) and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) have announced that they will strike during next month.

The action is set to take place from the two unions on 1 October, whilst Aslef will also strike on 5 October - with several train routes in Birmingham expected to be impacted.

The strikes will take place during the Conservative Party Conference which is being held in Birmingham from 2 to 5 October.

The announcements come after the last round of strike action, scheduled for Thursday 15 September, was cancelled due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general secretary, said: ‘We would much rather not be in this position. We don’t want to go on strike – withdrawing your labour, although a fundamental human right, is always a last resort for this trade union – but the train companies have been determined to force our hand.

“They are telling train drivers to take a real terms pay cut. With inflation now running at 12.3% – and set, it is said, to go higher – these companies are saying that drivers should be prepared to work just as hard, for just as long, but for considerably less.

“The companies with whom we are in dispute have not offered us a penny. It is outrageous that they expect us to put up with a real terms pay cut for a third year in a row. And that’s why we are going on strike.

“To persuade the companies to be sensible, to do the right thing, and come and negotiate properly with us. Not to run up and say, “Our hands are tied and the government will not allow us to offer you an increase.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Transport workers are joining a wave of strike action on 1 October, sending a clear message to the government and employers that working people will not accept continued attacks on pay and working conditions at a time when big business profits are at an all-time high.

”The Summer of Solidarity we have seen will continue into the Autumn and Winter if employers and the government continue to refuse workers reasonable demands.

“We want a settlement to these disputes where our members and their families can get a square deal.  And we will not rest until we get a satisfactory outcome.”

Which Manchester rail companies will be affected?

Several train companies which operate services through Birmingham stations will be affected by the upcoming strike action.

These include Cross Country Trains, Avanti West Coast, and West Midlands Railway.

It is expected that, like with previous days of strike action, train companies will issue strike timetables and other information in the lead up to the days of industrial action.

What is the full list of train companies affected by the strike action?

Aslef members at Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; Greater Anglia; Great Western Railway; Hull Trains; LNER; London Overground; Northern Trains; Southeastern; TransPennine Express; and West Midlands Trains – will strike on 1 and 5 October.

On 1 October, RMT members at the following companies will go out on strike:

• Network Rail
• Chiltern Railways
• Cross Country Trains
• Greater Anglia,
• LNER,
• East Midlands Railway,
• c2c,
• Great Western 
• Railway,Northern Trains,
• South Eastern 
• South Western
• RailwayTranspennine Express,
• Avanti West Coast,
• West Midlands Trains
• GTR (including Gatwick Express

A spokesperson for West Midlands Railway said: Strike action impacting West Midlands Railway has been announced for Saturday 1 October and Wednesday 5 October.

“Members of the ASLEF union will take part in action on Saturday 1 October and Wednesday 5 October. Members of the RMT and TSSA unions will also take part in action on Saturday 1 October.

“Due to this action, there will be West Midlands Railway service on any route on Saturday 1 October or Wednesday 5 October.