‘Major breakthrough’ could bring an end to two years of train strike misery

More than two years of train strikes could be at an end after a “major breakthrough” in discussions between union Aslef and the Department of Transport.

A new pay deal is to be put to train drivers for approval which, if agreed, would bring an end to the longest dispute in the recent history of British railways.

Union Aslef has held 18 strikes since it first balloted for industrial action in June 2022, which are believed to have cost the hospitality industry more than £4b in lost sales.

The offer made to Aslef is a 5% pay rise for 2022/23, 4.75% for 23/24, and 4.5% for 24/25.

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “The offer is a good offer – a fair offer – and it is what we have always asked for, a clean offer, without a land grab for our terms and conditions that the companies, and previous government, tried to take in April last year.

“We will put it to members with a recommendation for them to accept.”

Transport secretary Louise Haigh said: “When I took this job, I said I wanted to move fast and fix things – starting by bringing an end to rail strikes. Finally today the end is in sight.

“If accepted, this offer would finally bring an end to this long-running dispute and allow us to move forward by driving up performance for passengers with the biggest overhaul to our railways in a generation.”

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, commented: "The breakthrough in negotiations between the government and Aslef is a crucial step forward for our sector.

"For over two years, industrial action has severely impacted the night-time economy, creating significant barriers for businesses, workers, and patrons alike. The proposed pay deal, which marks a potential end to the long-running rail dispute, is a positive sign that the tide is turning."

Members of the RMT Union accepted a deal to end its long-running dispute over pay and conditions in November 2023.