Train drivers at 15 rail companies are to stage a fresh strike on January 5 in a long-running dispute over pay, union Aslef announced.
The industrial action will grind affected services “to a halt”, the union warns, just as commuters return to work following the Christmas and New Year break.
It comes after members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail and 14 train operators planned to strike on January 3, 4, 6 and 7, so services are set to be crippled for a week.
Strikes from 6pm Christmas Eve until 6am on December 27 and into the new year also remain on, RMT has confirmed.
National Rail has warned passengers to only travel if “absolutely necessary” on strike days and to expect busier services.
Aslef had balloted members earlier this month and 93 per cent voted yes to taking industrial action.
The companies affected include Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, London North Eastern Railway, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway (depot drivers only), SWR Island Line and West Midlands Trains.
Aslef claims that its members have not received a pay rise since April 2019, and called on the government to “help not hinder” the negotiating process.
“We don’t want to go on strike but the companies have pushed us into this place,” said general secretary Mick Whelan.
“They have not offered our members at these companies a penny.
“That means they expect train drivers at these companies to take a real-terms pay cut – to work just as hard for considerably less – when inflation is running at north of 14 per cent.”
Mr Whelan added: “The train companies say their hands have been tied by the government. While the government – which does not employ us – says it’s up to the companies to negotiate with us. We are always happy to negotiate – we never refuse to sit down at the table and talk – but these companies have offered us nothing. And that is unacceptable.”
He said the union has a new mandate for industrial action for the next six months.
Aslef represents 96 per cent of train drivers in England, Scotland, and Wales.
The union has already called five one-day strikes this year in July, August, October and November.
A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, said: “Further strikes – on top of those already announced by the RMT - will disrupt the new year travel plans of millions, taking even more money out of the pockets of railway staff.
“Industrial action has already cost the industry millions in lost revenue, and more strikes threaten the industry’s long-term sustainability. No one wants to see this strike go ahead, and we can only apologise to passengers and to the many businesses who will be hit by this damaging disruption.
“We want to work with Aslef to end this dispute that is harming passengers, the industry, and their members.”
