Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers’ union Aslef, prides himself in rarely calling a strike since taking the helm in 2011. Now though, three years since most of his members last had a pay rise, industrial action looks increasingly likely.
Ballots close on Monday at eight major train operators where drivers are voting to back strikes, and three more are due in a fortnight – potentially giving Whelan the power to bring most of the railway around England to a halt.
