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Rail strikes could last until 2026, union chief warns
Aslef members return to pickets for a series of 24-hour strikes
Aslef General Secretary Mick Whelan (centre) joins train workers on the picket line at Euston station in London. Train driver members of Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are taking to picket lines again in a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. Picture date: Friday February 3, 2023.

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.

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Train drivers from the Aslef union on the picket line at Euston station in London, as they are launching a wave of fresh walkouts in a long-running dispute over pay. Train drivers at 16 rail companies are holding a rolling programme of one-day walkouts between April 5 and 8, coupled with a six-day ban on overtime. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2024
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