Train drivers employed by Northern and TransPennine Express have voted overwhelmingly for strike action as a long-running dispute over pay continues. Aslef union members have backed walkouts with turnouts above 80% - with 97.1% of votes backing strike action at TransPennine and 96.6% supporting strike action at Northern.
Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, insisted strikes were always the last resort. He added: “You can see from the votes - and the turnouts - just how angry our members are.
“These are the men and women who moved key workers and goods around the country during the pandemic, yet have not had a pay rise since 2019. With inflation running at north of 10% - and set to go much higher - several train companies are saying that they want their drivers to take a real-terms pay cut.
