NATIONAL rail strikes over pay, jobs and working conditions could go on for years, train drivers’ union Aslef warned today as its members returned to picket lines.

General secretary Mick Whelan stressed that his members have not had a wage rise since 2019, adding: “What option do we have — do we wait five, six, seven years?”

The union leader addressed reporters at London Euston station as Aslef followed up a 24-hour walkout across 15 rail operators on Wednesday with another strike today.