ASLEF
and
the
RMT
have
both
called
new
walkouts


after
talks
between
the
unions
and
management
last
week
failed.

There
had
been
fresh
hopes
of
a
settlement,
but
the
two
unions
have
announced
further
strikes
at
train
operators
on
1
and
3
February.

ASLEF
said
it
had
rejected
the
latest
proposal,
although
this
had
not
been
the
result
of
negotiations,
which
was
made
by
a
’cartel’
allegedly
created
by
the
government
and
which
represents
some
operators.

The
union’s
general
secretary
Mick
Whelan
said:
‘The
proposal
is
not
and
could
not
ever
be
acceptable
but
we
are
willing
to
engage
in
further
discussions
within
the
process
that
we
previously
agreed.’

Drivers
belonging
to
ASLEF
at
most
English
operators
are
now
set
to
stage
two
24-hour
strikes
on
1
and
3
February,
although
Merseyrail
drivers
are
not
involved,
having
just
agreed
a
deal
with
Merseytravel
about
operating
new
trains.

The
minority
of
drivers
who
belong
to
the
RMT
will
also
be
striking
on
1
and
3
February.
The
union
added
that
hhe
decision
to
strike
on
1
February
will
coincide
with
a
TUC
‘day
of
action’
where
several
unions
are
coordinating
their
strikes
during
the
cost-of-living
crisis.

RMT
general
secretary
Mick
Lynch
said:
‘Our
negotiations
will
continue
with
the
rail
operators
to
create
a
package
on
jobs,
conditions
and
pay
that
can
be
offered
to
our
members.’

The
Rail
Delivery
Group
responded:
‘It’s
disappointing
our
fair
and
affordable
offer,
which
would
take
average
driver
base
salaries
from
£60,000
to
nearly
£65,000
by
the
end
of
2023
pay
awards,
wasn’t
put
to
the
ASLEF
members. 

‘With
taxpayers
still
funding
up
to
an
extra
£175
million
a
month
to
make
up
the
shortfall
in
revenue
post-Covid,
it
provided
a
significant
salary
uplift
while
bringing
in
long
overdue,
common-sense
reforms
that
would
mean
more
reliable
services
for
passengers.
Rather
than
announcing
further
unnecessary
strikes,
we
ask
ASLEF
to
recognise
the
very
real
financial
challenge
the
industry
is
facing
and
work
with
us
to
deliver
a
better
railway
with
a
strong
long-term
future.’

The
RDG
also
said
that
‘although
the
discussions
have
been
undertaken
at
a
national
level,
each
train
operating
company
collectively
bargains
with
local
ASLEF
representatives.
The
national
agreement
sets
out
the
principles
as
the
basis
for
those
negotiations.’