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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Tom Pegden

EMR expecting to run normal timetable week starting Monday, May 15, despite some union action

East Midlands Railway (EMR) is expecting to run a normal timetable in the week starting Monday, May 15, despite further industrial action from the ASLEF union.

The regional and Midlands-to-London rail operator said members of the union, which represents train drivers, had withdrawn non-contractual overtime from Monday up to – and including – Saturday, May 20.

EMR said it expected no change to its timetable for the week, but warned that trains might be subject to short notice alterations and cancellations.

Customers should ensure they check their full journey before travelling and are advised to check the EMR website, information in stations and social media for the latest advice and information.

East Midlands Railway managing director Will Rogers said: "We have worked hard to put in place a plan which should allow us to run our normal timetable.

"However, there is still a risk that some trains may be may be subject to short notice alterations and cancellations.

"Customers are advised to check their journey is still possible before setting off."

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said pay negotiations with ministers had stalled over the past four months as fresh rail strikes take place.

Members of the union walked out on Friday May 12 at more than a dozen train operators, including EMR, crippling services across England.

Mr Whelan said the union had seen “neither hide nor hair” from the Government since the beginning of the year, with “one token meeting” on January 6.

He told BBC Breakfast: “They talk a good game, they don’t actually engage, they haven’t taken any ownership of this process as far as we’re concerned.

“The only people they talk to are the companies, they don’t talk to us.

“And every time we try and find a middle ground… they did something that was deliberately set up to fail.”

Mr Whelan said his members “don’t want to be” on strike but felt they had “no choice” in a bid to find a resolution.

Aslef has previously described the UK Government’s 4 per cent pay offer as “risible”.

Rail minister Huw Merriman confirmed he attended the January meeting, saying he had left unions since then to discuss the UK Government’s pay offer with the Rail Delivery Group, the body representing train companies.

Mr Merriman said there was an offer on the table for train drivers and implored union chiefs to put it to members.

The Conservative politician told Times Radio: “I’m very sorry for the inconvenience that passengers will have to bear.

“The sad reality of this situation is that there are offers on the table which have been given to both the train drivers’ union and the RMT.

“The leadership have chosen not to put those offers to their members and I feel if they did, there would be the opportunity for members to decide if they wish to take them.

“If you look at the train driver situation, they are paid just under £60,000. The pay offer would take them to £65,000 for a 35-hour week.

“We feel these are fair and reasonable, and we need to see those put to their members. So it is not the case that there is not an offer there — the offer is there, we just need it put to members to see what they think about it.”

Mr Merriman said ministers are unable to offer a more modern service or pay for more trains while strikes cost the economy and the rail sector money.

Further strikes are due on May 31 and June 3 – the day of the FA Cup final at Wembley.

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