A tiny number of train services will be passing through Manchester today while train drivers walk out over pay. Members of the train drivers' union Aslef are on strike for 24 hours on November 26 in the latest walk-out during a long-running dispute, with drivers on picket lines outside Victoria and Piccadilly stations.
Members working for Northern, Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express are among train drivers at 12 rail operators who are on strike today. It follows four previous days of strike action from Aslef on July 30, August 13, October 1 and October 5.
No services are being run by Northern or Avanti West Coast at all throughout the day while strike action takes place, while TransPennine Express is running just nine services across its network, including seven in Manchester. They include four services in both directions between Manchester Piccadilly and York, and three between Manchester Victoria and Liverpool Lime Street.
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Rail operators are also warning passengers to expect disruption on Sunday, November 27, although Aslef members are not on strike that day. Aslef says most drivers have not had a pay rise since 2019 and are now being offered a real-terms pay cut, while operators 'make huge profits'.
As the strike action was announced, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan added: “We regret that passengers will be inconvenienced for another day. We don’t want to be taking this action. Withdrawing our labour is always a last resort for a trade union."
Aslef members are also on strike at Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, London North Eastern Railway, London Overground, Southeastern and West Midlands Trains today. Daniel Mann, director of industry operations at the Rail Delivery Group, said: “The strike by Aslef brings more uncertainty for passengers and businesses by disrupting their weekend plans.
“While we will do all that we can to minimise disruption, if you are going to travel on the routes affected, please plan ahead and check the latest travel advice on national rail enquiries. Passengers with advance, off-peak or anytime tickets affected by the strike can use their ticket either on the day before the date on the ticket, or up to and including Tuesday, November 29.
"Passengers can also change their tickets to travel on an alternate date or get a refund if their train is cancelled or rescheduled." Get more information on services running this weekend from Northern, TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast.
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