Who is on strike and what is the rail dispute about?
Train drivers are on strike again on Friday, crippling services across the country.
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Your support makes all the difference.Rail passengers faced fresh travel misery on Friday because of a strike by train drivers.
– Who is on strike today?
Members of the main drivers’ union, Aslef, and those in the Rail, Maritime and Transport union have walked out.
– What is the dispute about?
It is over pay and conditions.
– What have train operators offered?
The latest offer is for a 4% pay rise last year and another 4% increase this year.
– Why has it not been accepted?
Aslef says there are conditions attached to the offer which it claims would “rip up” long-standing agreements.
– Does this dispute just involve train operators?
Yes, the negotiations are being fronted by the Rail Delivery Group, which represents most train companies.
– How widespread has the disruption been?
Many areas of the country have had no services on Friday and those trains that have run have started later and will finish earlier.
– Are there other disputes in the rail industry?
Yes, the RMT is involved in separate disputes with train operators and Network Rail (NR), which manages the rail infrastructure.
– What has NR offered?
NR made a revised offer last month of a 5% pay rise, backdated to January 1, 2022, and a further 4% this year, with a promise of no compulsory redundancies until January 31, 2025, and a £250 lump sum for those earning £24,000 or less.
Employees would be entitled to a 75% travel discount for themselves and immediate family.
– Has the offer been accepted?
The RMT is consulting with its members through branch and regional meetings before deciding its next move.
– Is the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) involved in the disputes?
TSSA members at NR accepted an offer last year but the union remains in dispute with train operators.
– Are more talks planned?
Yes, further talks are expected to be held in the next few days.
– Is there any hope of the disputes being resolved?
Aslef says its dispute is going backwards, but there is more chance of progress in the other disputes.
– What is the Government involvement in the disputes?
Ministers say they are facilitating talks between the two sides, but unions continue to insist the Government is blocking deals.
– Have any more strikes been called after Friday’s action?
No.
– How long could the strikes continue?
Union leaders say they are “in it for the long haul” and are not prepared to say when there could be a resolution.