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Mick Whelan (centre), general secretary, Aslef, joins the picket line outside Paddington train station in London as members of the drivers union Aslef at seven train operators walk out for 24 hours over pay
TRAIN drivers striking at nine operating companies today can be assured of widespread public support, their union leader Mick Whelan told the Morning Star.
Members of drivers’ union Aslef will walk out for 24 hours in a pay dispute at Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains, LNER, Southeastern, West Midlands Trains and London Overground.
Mr Whelan said that train companies claim to be barred from awarding a pay rise in line with inflation by “dodgy deals” imposed by the government when their franchises were turned into management contracts, but government says the dispute is nothing to do with it and must be dealt with by the companies.
Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO reports from the start of Kunming’s Belt and Road media forum, where 200 journalists from 71 countries celebrated a new openness and optimism, forged by China’s enormous contribution to global development
Morning Star editor BEN CHACKO reports on TUC Congress discussions on how to confront the far right and rebuild the left’s appeal to workers
