In what seems like a never ending cycle, members of two unions have called fresh strikes over pay and conditions.
Aslef, the train driver’s union, and the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) have decided to strike again after rejecting the latest offer from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).
Why are they striking?
The unions say pay has not kept up with inflation.
Aslef has rejected a “risible” 4% pay rise from the 16 companies they are disputing with, claiming their drivers have not had an increase in salary since 2019.
RMT have also formally rejected the proposal of a first-year payment of 5%. which was contingent on no further strike action taking place, and named 24 more hours of strike action.
The union is re-balloting members and expects a result on the 4th May. A “yes” vote will mean a further six-month mandate.
These strikes are set to disrupt significant events such as the FA Cup Final and the Eurovision Final.
What is the official response?
Steve Montgomery, chair of the RDG said in a statement: “We are blindsided by the RMT executive’s announcement – nothing has changed in the offer agreed two weeks ago”.
He accused the RMT of “negotiating in bad faith” and “needlessly disrupting the lives of millions of our passengers”.
A spokesperson for the RDG also said: “We urge the ASLEF leadership to re-join us at the negotiating table and work with us to find a solution to the issues our industry faces and so we can give our people the pay rise we have always said we wanted to do.”
The transport minister, Mark Harper, said the strikes were “deeply disappointing” and the pay offer was “fair and reasonable”.
What does it mean for Sheffielders?
Mia Rose, a student from Kettering living in Sheffield, says these strikes have caused her to have to make a difficult decision.
“I was going to travel home a few days before my birthday to see family and friends. Now there is rail strikes, I’ll be stranded in my home town and won’t be able to make it back for my exams.
“Now I have to decide to prioritise my family and friends or my degree and education.”
Chloe Baker, a student who regularly travels through Sheffield, said: “I really hate train travel at the moment but it’s my only option.
“I travel through Sheffield from Nottingham to Manchester and normally the platform at Sheffield is packed with people getting on an already full train. Cancellations and delays are just going to make it worse. The whole sector needs fixing because we really can’t go on like this.”