Strikes: What we know (so far) about how travel will be hit in the coming weeks

With the RMT potentially due to announce further strikes at any point today, here’s a quick overview of the CONFIRMED strike action due to cause upheaval over the coming weeks.

Saturday 26 November: Aslef strike

In the union’s fifth mass strike of the year. train drivers who are members of ASLEF will down tools across the country on Saturday, 26 November, directly impacting 12 operators.

Although only drivers from Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, LNER, London Overground, Northern Trains, Southeastern, Transpennine Express and West Midlands Trains are involved in the action, the impact is likely to be felt more widely.

Its also likely that service on the Friday and Sunday either side of Saturday’s official walk out will feel the pinch too.

Aslef called off three strikes set to take place on November 5, 7, and 9, but on November 10, union members announced further strike action. The strikes are part of an ongoing dispute between union members and train-company bosses over pay amid the cost-of-living crisis.

National Rail Enquiries has built a table detailing the impact on operators across the country. You can view it here.

We’ve replicated with the currently available information, but don’t forget to keep an eye on the above website for the ever changing operator details if you plan to travel.

13/14 December, 16/17 December, 3/4 January, 6/7 January: RMT strikes

Announced yesterday following the breakdown in negotiations with Network Rail and the TOCs, the RMT will strike over four 48 periods in coming weeks.

The timing is less than ideal, with the public in uproar over cancelled Christmas plans and predicted back-to-work chaos, however Mick Lynch is standing firm – despite being labelled ‘Mick Grinch’ by the tabloids.

Sunday 11 and Monday 12 December: RMT strikes

Unlikely to be the only action from the RMT in December, but this one has been in the diary for a while.

Only set to impact the already highly-challenged Avanti West Coast, train managers took action on the 20 November as part of this planned action.

Avanti issued a notice to passengers ahead of the firt date in the strike trio, saying: “As RMT members working as train managers at Avanti West Coast go on strike on Sunday 20 November, a significantly reduced timetable will be in operation – with fewer services running during limited operating hours,” said a statement.

“Due to limited operating hours, the first train of the day will depart Euston just after 8.00am and the last train of the day from Euston will depart mid-afternoon, around 4.30pm.”

It is likely that a similar plan will be in place for the subsequent days.

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