Train drivers to strike locally on 31 January as pay dispute continues

Northern train

Local train drivers will be striking on 31 January as a long-running dispute over pay continues.

Train drivers who are members of the ASLEF union will take strike action in January and February in a long-running dispute over pay.

A series of strikes will take place across England between Tuesday 30 January and Monday 5 February, with Northern drivers striking on Wednesday 31 January. An overtime ban also applies.

Northern has advised checking journeys again nearer the time for the amended strike day timetables.

ASLEF’s general secretary Mick Whelan said: "We have given the government every opportunity to come to the table but it has now been a year since we had any contact from the Department for Transport. It's clear they do not want to resolve this dispute.

"Many of our members have now not had a single penny increase to their pay in half a decade, during which inflation soared and with it the cost of living. Train drivers didn't even ask for an increase during the Covid-19 pandemic when they worked throughout as keyworkers, risking their lives to allow NHS and other workers to travel.

"The government has now tried their old trick of changing the rules when they can't win and brought in Minimum Service Levels legislation. But this new law, as we told officials during the consultation period, won't ease industrial strife. It will likely just make it worse. 

"There's no excuse. The government and train operating companies must come to the table with a realistic offer so we can end this dispute and work together to ensure the future of our railways."

Over the last 18 months, ASLEF has called 14 one-day strikes over a pay dispute.