TRAIN drivers have called a week-long ban on overtime next month heaping more misery on travellers in a long-running dispute over pay.
Members of the union Aslef will withdraw from rest day working which many firms rely on to fulfill a full timetable across the railways.
Train drivers have called a week-long ban on overtime next month heaping more misery on travellers in a long-running dispute over pay[/caption]
The timing causes extra chaos on parents already having to contend with two teacher strike days that week and tennis fans getting to Wimbledon.
The drivers at 16 rail operators including Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express are refusing to work overtime – short of a full strike – from Monday July 3 until Saturday July 8.
One furious Tory MP said the move amounted to nothing more than “political warfare”.
Greg Smith, who sits on the Transport Select Committee, said: “An overtime ban makes no sense – they can’t say on one hand they are not paid enough, then cut off a fruitful source of extra money!
“This just shows what the rail unions are really up to – political warfare.”
It comes on top of train drivers renewing a six-month mandate for strike action after Aslef members returned overwhelming majorities for walkouts.
A pay offer of 9 per cent over two years and further reforms with no compulsory redundancies until the end of next year has been rejected.
But Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said his members had been given “no alternative” but to take the action.
“We have continually come to the negotiating table in good faith, seeking to resolve this dispute.
“Sadly, it is clear from the actions of both the train operating companies and the government that they do not want an end to the dispute.
“Their goals appear to be to continue industrial strife and to do down our industry.
“We don’t want to inconvenience the public.
“We just want to see our members paid fairly during a cost of living crisis when inflation is running at above 10%, and to not see our terms and conditions taken away.
“It’s time for the government and the companies to think again and look for a resolution.”
A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said it would take the average driver base salaries without overtime from £60,000 to nearly £65,000.
A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said: “Aslef’s leadership continues to disrupt customers’ travel plans.
“Train companies will work hard to minimise the impact of the overtime ban but the impact of Aslef’s action will vary across the 16 train operators and customers are advised to check their travel plans before setting off.”
