Just when you thought the worst of the strikes might be over, here comes another batch of walkouts – and they could cause more disruption than anything we’ve seen before. On September 15, train drivers at a whopping 12 companies across the UK will go on strike, affecting a whole bunch of major intercity and commuter routes.
The drivers are all members of the Aslef union, and the services affected include the main intercity routes between London and the Midlands, the north, Scotland and Wales, as well as commuter services in the south-east, Midlands and north, and the London overground. It’s likely to be most disruptive day of industrial action the country has seen this year so far.
The companies affected are Chiltern Railways, Northern, TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains, LNER, London Overground and Southeastern, and West Midlands Trains.
The same week, from September 12 to 14, Aslef union members on London Tramlink, based in Croydon, will also walk out in a dispute over pay. It’s likely that trams will also be affected on the days following the strikes.
Later in the month, from September 26 to 27, staff at nine train companies will take part in a nationwide strike organised by the TSSA union. Those involved include Avanti West Coast, c2c, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, LNER and Southeastern as well as Network Rail General Grades (Bands 5-8) and Controllers.
Confused? Here’s everything you need to know about the September rail strikes.