The train drivers’ union, Aslef, has embarked on the latest round of industrial action in its long and bitter dispute with 14 English train operators over pay, jobs and working conditions. Drivers walked out on Saturday 30 September and will do the same on Wednesday 4 October, triggering the cancellation of thousands of trains on each day and wrecking millions of planned journeys.
In addition the union has imposed an overtime ban until Friday 6 October – disrupting rail travel for over a week. The strikes are timed to hit the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, which began on Sunday 1 October – the day after the first walk-out – and ends on Wednesday 4 October, the day of the second stoppage.
