New year but same old rail chaos as drivers plan further strikes

Train drivers are to stage a fresh strike early in the new year, threatening travel chaos as many people return to work.

Members of the drivers’ union Aslef at 15 train companies will walk out on Thursday January 5 in the long-running pay dispute.

Members of the RMT union at Network Rail and 14 train operators are planning to strike on January 3, 4, 6 and 7, so services are set to be crippled for a week.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: ‘We don’t want to go on strike but the companies have pushed us into this place.

‘They have not offered our members a penny, and these are people who have not had an increase since April 2019.’

A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group said the strikes will disrupt new year travel plans for millions.

‘We want to work with Aslef to end this dispute that is harming passengers, the industry, and their members,’ he added.

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