RMT & Aslef rail strikes to resume - Passengers warned travel only if “absolutely necessary” - dates affected

As the Christmas festivities are over for another year, people will be thinking about returning to normality, and of course, that means…work. However, if you usually catch a train into the office, you might want to take a look at your local train schedule as strikes are due to commence this week.

After six months of rail strikes, the two biggest rail unions, RMT and Aslef have planned to stop work for a total of five days at the start of 2023 as discussions about pay and conditions continue. The rail strikes coincide with people returning to work and school after the new year, with only 20 percent of trains expected to run.

40,000 members of the RMT union working for Network Rail and 14 train operators are expected to walk out for 48 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday (January 3-4), and again on Friday and Saturday (January 6-7). On Thursday (January 5), thousands of train drivers belonging to the Aslef union who work for 15 train operators will strike.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “This is a most regrettable start to 2023 and we can only apologise to our customers whose return to work from the holidays will be disrupted by the action by the RMT and ASLEF.

“We’re encouraging everyone to use the new ‘Check My Timetable’ feature on our website to see the changes specific to their local station.”

The unions say they want a fair pay rise, assurances on job retention and no changes to working conditions without negotiation. It is thought that only 20 per cent of services will operate as normal on strike days, and it is advised that travellers check their route before heading out.

Trains strikes January 3-4

London North Eastern Railway/Lumo/Grand Central/Hull Trains

LNER, the flagship operator on the East Coast main line, is planning its timetable on its core route between London King’s Cross, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh – with eight departures between the English and Scottish capitals between 7.27am and 12.30pm. Additional trains will serve York and Newcastle.