Train strikes in May and June from RMT and Aslef to disrupt events including Eurovision and the FA Cup final
People’s travel plans could be thrown into chaos by another wave of train strikes involving more than 40,000 transport staff.
Passengers trying to reach some of the summer’s biggest events – including the Eurovision Song Contest and FA Cup final – are among those that face having their train services cancelled by impending walkouts.
Industrial action has been announced for May and June by both the RMT union and Aslef – which represents more than 96 per cent of the country’s train drivers. Scroll down for the full list of dates.
Aslef will begin its action today (Friday) – followed by two further walkouts at the end of this month and the start of June – while the RMT will also embark on its own 24-hour strike this weekend.
Thousands of passengers trying to reach Liverpool for the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday – which the UK is hosting on behalf of last year’s winner Ukraine – are likely to be hit hard by the walkout after the RMT announced the strike would involve members working at 14 train operators.
Football fans with tickets to the FA Cup final on June 3, between Manchester City and Manchester United at London’s Wembley Stadium, will also be disrupted.
The rail dispute – which first began in June last year – is said to be the largest instance of industrial action in the country since 1989.
The strikes have so far involved more than 40,000 workers and more than 14 train companies over the last 12 months who are lobbying for better pay, working conditions and a resolution to issues involving redundancies and job security.
Who is striking and when?
Industrial action has been announced for the following days:
*Friday, May 12 (action by the Aslef union)
*Saturday, May 13 (action by the RMT union)
*Wednesday, May 31 (action by the Aslef union)
*Saturday, June 3 (action by the Aslef union)
Companies affected include: Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Great Western Railway; Greater Anglia; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; London North Eastern Railway; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; SWR depot drivers; SWR Island Line; TransPennine Express, and West Midlands Trains.
Additionally, an overtime ban for Aslef members will also be implemented on Saturday, May 13, from Monday, May 15, to Saturday, May 20, and again on Thursday, June 1, that could also cause some changes to train services.
How will services be affected?
Network Rail says train companies ‘are busy assessing’ how the walk outs will affect services.
However Aslef says as it represents almost all train drivers in the UK it is unlikely that many services will be able to go ahead on the three dates it will lead members in a walkout. The RMT strike may cause less disruption and enable limited services to be run – but passengers are being warned to check.
Alongside warnings to passengers to prepare for and expect ‘significant disruption’ as a result of little or no service on large parts of the rail network – there is also a reminder that train services will also be disrupted the day before and day after action as well.
What’s the current travel advice?
The National Rail Journey Planner will detail affected services and revised timetables and travellers are being told to pay close attention to it when planning their route and before setting off.
Anyone hoping to use the trains should check their entire journey from start to finish – particularly if it involves using either the first trains or last services of the day – while extra caution should also be taken if you’re a passenger returning the day after your departure date.
If you have an existing ticket now dated for a strike day – says Network Rail – you will be able to use your ticket on an alternative day or seek a refund depending on the type of pass you have purchased. The latest refund information is available here.
Those passengers with season tickets who do not travel can also claim compensation through the Delay Repay refund scheme.
