Hope for deal to end train strike misery as unions meet with government

There is hope that more than two years of train strikes could be ended as the government and unions sit down to resume talks today (Wednesday). 

 

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.

 

Today representatives from Aslef will sit down with officials from the Department of Transport to try and resolve the pay dispute between drivers and train companies.

 

After July’s election transport secretary Louise Haigh said she was "committed to resetting industrial relations".

 

And last month Aslef’s general secretary, Mick Whelan, said he believed renewed talks “can and will get a deal”.

 

He said: “We hope, with a new government in place, that we can have constructive talks to get a positive resolution that works for train drivers, who have not had an increase in salary for five years – since 2019 – and will help get our railway back on track.”

 

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls previously said: “I would urge all parties to redouble their efforts in negotiations to reach a resolution and end this long-running dispute, which continues to harm businesses, workers, consumers and public confidence in the rail network.”

 

Members of the RMT Union accepted a deal to end its long-running dispute over pay and conditions in November 2023, but an agreement has not been reached with Aslef.

 

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