Industrial motion has continued since Aslef final rejected a pay provide again in April 2023. Extra not too long ago the union’s tactic has been to unfold stroll outs over a number of days, with completely different operators affected on every day.
The package deal included successive pay rises of 4%, which the Rail Supply Group, which represents prepare firms, mentioned would convey the typical annual pay for a driver to £65,000.
Nevertheless, a major level of rivalry, was the situations connected.
Prepare firms and the Conservative authorities argued that modifications to methods of working, for instance to coaching and rosters, have been essential to make the railway perform extra reliably and lower your expenses.
They claimed hard-pressed taxpayers are having to contribute hundreds of thousands every week to maintain providers operating.
Nevertheless, Aslef argued drivers have been being requested to sacrifice an excessive amount of in change for too low a wage rise.
The dispute was at a standstill for a yr, earlier than indicators of progress in Might. However the common election was referred to as earlier than there might be a decision.
Underneath the earlier authorities, negotiations have been performed by the Rail Supply Group, however ministers have needed to approve any pay provide although, as the federal government in impact took management of the railway throughout the Covid pandemic.
When the Labour authorities was elected in July, transport secretary Louise Haigh mentioned she was “dedicated to resetting industrial relations”.
The Rail Supply Group has since been faraway from negotiations, with Division for Transport officers main talks as a substitute in July.
