Fresh train strikes on the way as Aslef staff vote for walkouts until summer 2024

Train drivers have voted to continue with strike action for another six months as part of an long-running dispute over pay.

Aslef, the train drivers’ union, has announced its members have voted overwhelmingly to continue striking after being reballoted, well over a year after the dispute began.

The union had previously announced a week-long series of strikes from Saturday, which will have a severe impact on services.

i reported earlier this week that workers planned to continue holding strikes until the next general election in the hope of striking a long-awaited deal with a new Labour government.

Aslef’s general secretary, Mick Whelan, warned the union is “in it for the long haul”.

Mr Whelan said: “Our members, who have not had a pay rise for nearly five years now, are determined that the train companies, and the Tory Government that stands behind them, do the right thing.

“The cost of living has soared since the spring and summer of 2019, when these pay deals ran out. The bosses at the train companies, as well as Tory MPs and Government ministers, have had increases in pay.

“It’s unrealistic and unfair to expect our members to work just as hard for what, in real terms, is considerably less.”

This story is being updated.