Train drivers union denies strike plans as Avanti West Coast warns of cancellations
The drivers’ union Aslef strongly denied its members were taking action this week.
Aslef members at Avanti will strike on August 13 as part of the long-running dispute over pay and conditions but the union said nothing else is planned before then.
Avanti said in a statement that cancellations were likely to continue until the current industrial dispute is settled.
“Customers are urged to check their journey on our website before coming to the station, and should be prepared for services to be disrupted at short notice and be very busy.
“We are sorry for the enormous frustration and inconvenience this will cause our customers, and condemn the drivers’ actions.
“We urge them to engage in meaningful talks around modernising working practices and developing a railway fit for the 21st century.”
The company runs services to the north of Wales and also from London to Glasgow and Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham.
Lying
Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef said: “There is no action – official or unofficial – and the company should stop lying to passengers and belittling its staff.”
A union spokesman said the company did not employ enough train drivers to deliver its services.
Aslef members at seven train companies went on strike on Saturday, causing huge disruption to services across the country.
More strikes are planned in August by Aslef, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) in the worsening rows over pay, jobs and conditions.
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When dinosaurs roamed the earth and I a Trot, rumours were that car makers used to provoke strikes when they needed to do assembly work……………….
Standard mis information tactic in this dispute by the rail operators and the UK Gov. Last week the BBC edited a interview with a doctor, to imply she was against the strike, which she said she supported, and has asked the BBC for an apology.