Industry prepares for further strikes

Hospitality businesses are preparing for further operational challenges, following the news that another set of rail strikes have been confirmed. Rail union Aslef has announced another series of strikes between 30th January and 5th February, affecting different train operators each day.

An overtime ban will also be in place from 29th January to 6th February. The union says the strikes are over a long-running dispute over pay.

Members will walk out at Southeastern, GTR Southern/Gatwick Express, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, SWR Island Line and South Western Railway on Tuesday 30th January; at Northern Trains and Transpennine Trains on Wednesday 31st January; at Greater Anglia, C2C and LNER on Friday 2nd February; at West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast and East Midlands Railway on Saturday 3rd February, and at Great Western, CrossCountry and Chiltern on Monday 5th February.

"Once again, hospitality businesses are left dismayed by strike action which will be significantly detrimental to sales and see bookings cancelled," said Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality. "January and February are already two of the quieter months of the year for venues and this disruption will make it even more painful.

"We estimate this set of strikes will cost hospitality almost £350m, on top of the £4bn in lost sales the sector has already had to withstand. We continue to urge all parties involved to urgently reach an agreement and resolve this dispute. Ongoing strike action hurts businesses, prevents people from getting to work and significantly erodes confidence in the rail network."

What is Aslef asking for?

Aslef's general secretary Mick Whelan says the union hasn't heard from the government in over a year. "We have given the government every opportunity to come to the table, but it has now been a year since we had any contact from the Department for Transport," he said. "It's clear they do not want to resolve this dispute.

"Many of our members have now not had a single penny increase to their pay in half a decade, during which inflation soared and with it the cost of living. Train drivers didn't even ask for an increase during the Covid-19 pandemic when they worked throughout as keyworkers, risking their lives to allow NHS and other workers to travel.

"The government has now tried their old trick of changing the rules when they can't win and brought in Minimum Service Levels legislation. But this new law, as we told officials during the consultation period, won't ease industrial strife. It will likely just make it worse. 

"There's no excuse. The government and train operating companies must come to the table with a realistic offer so we can end this dispute and work together to ensure the future of our railways."

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