More rail disruption is coming to the UK as the ASLEF train drivers’ union announced a new August strike date. ASLEF drivers at nine companies are set to walk out alongside members of the RMT, who are already scheduled to strike on two dates in August.
Both ASLEF (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen) and the RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union) are striking over issues with pay and conditions. Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, said: “We don’t want to inconvenience passengers – our friends and families use public transport, too – and we don’t want to lose money by going on strike but we’ve been forced into this position by the companies driven by the government.”
He went on to say: “It’s not unreasonable to ask your employer to make sure you’re not worse off for three years in a row. Especially as the train companies are doing very nicely, thank you, out of Britain’s railways – with handsome profits, dividends for shareholders, and big salaries for managers – and train drivers don’t want to work longer for less.”
