Strikes by members of the train drivers’ union ASLEF will mean changes to Southeastern services next week.
From Monday (January 29), members of the ASLEF union will be taking strike action at passenger rail operators across the country. This includes strikes at individual operators on specific days as well as a national overtime ban between Monday 29 January and Tuesday 6 February.
Southeastern will operate a full service throughout the strike action – with the exception of Tuesday 30 January – when no Southeastern services will operate on the network.
On the same day, members of the ASLEF union will also be taking strike action at neighbouring operators; Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Thameslink and South Western Railway.
Scott Brightwell, Operations & Safety Director, said: “Strikes are designed to be disruptive and it is clear there will be changes to services across the country during this extended period of strike action and we are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause to customers.
“On Tuesday 30 January, there will not be any Southeastern services on any part of the network. In addition, strikes will be taking place at a number of neighbouring operators on the same day.
“However, Southeastern will be providing a full service on all other days, despite the planned overtime ban. I would strongly urge customers to check their journeys well in advance during this time.
“You can do so on the Southeastern website, app or on other journey planners.”
Aslef is taking strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions.
The train drivers’ union says: “When inflation goes up and pay doesn’t, that’s a real-terms pay cut.
“Train drivers haven’t had a pay increase since 2019, we are seeking a fair pay deal for our members who have been experiencing real terms pay cuts whilst private operators and rolling stock companies (who own the trains and lease them back) have continued to pay out dividends to their shareholders, extracting profits from the railways.”
For more information, including guidance and advice on refunds and compensation visit: https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/strike-action
Strike action will also be taking place at other operators on the following dates:
Tuesday 30 January – Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Thameslink & South Western Railway.
Wednesday 31 January – Northern & Transpennine Express.
Friday 2 February – Greater Anglia, c2c, LNER & Stansted Express.
Saturday 3 February – West Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, Avanti West Coast & East Midlands Railway.
Monday 5 February – Great Western Railway, CrossCountry & Chiltern Railways.
