Commuter Chaos: London Hit by Train Driver Strikes and Overtime Bans
Train commuters in and out of London are facing major disruptions as train drivers have initiated three days of rolling strikes and a six-day overtime ban. The strikes, led by the Aslef union, are part of a long-standing pay dispute with national rail operators.
The strike action, which started on Tuesday, is affecting key commuter routes in and out of London, with most operators not running any trains on their strike days. This has led to significant disruptions for commuters, especially those relying on services from c2c, Great Northern, Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia, Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, and South Western.
The impact of the strikes is being felt across various regions, with disruptions expected to continue until the end of the week. The overtime ban has further exacerbated the situation, causing reduced timetables and additional disruptions in several areas where operators rely on voluntary shifts to operate services.
Negotiations between Aslef and the rail operators broke down a year ago over a pay offer that was deemed inadequate. Despite recent attempts to restart talks, the government, which oversees the contracted operators, has shown reluctance to renegotiate the pay increase.
As the strikes continue, passengers are advised to check for updates before traveling and to expect disruptions on the days surrounding the strike action. The ongoing dispute highlights the challenges faced by both commuters and the rail industry amidst demands for improved pay and working conditions.
