Train strikes have caused disruption to Sheffield travellers this week.
Industrial action across the nation began on Tuesday, with a week-long strike involving 16 train operators, ASLEF confirmed.
Mick Whelan, General Secretary for ASLEF, said: “Train drivers have not had an increase in salary for five years. That’s completely wrong.
Mr. Whelan said that the fight for a pay rise comes in response to the ever-growing cost of living crisis.
He added: “The employers – the Government – think we are going to give up and run away. They’re wrong.”
Today, staff at TransPennine, Northern Trains, and LNER were taking industrial action, leading to disruptions and delays.
Sheffield Station is served strongly by both Transpennine and Northern, leading to disgruntled passengers.
John Lockwood, 43, from Leeds said: “The strikes are ridiculous – it feels like they do one every day.
“My mum is in hospital at Leeds and I can’t even visit her. It’s ridiculous”
Sophie Holland, 21, from Crewe said: “I’ve just missed my train back home cause of the strikes. I’m not quite sure when the next one will be.”
She added: “It’s annoying but I get why they do them. They have to fight to be heard.”
Previous days across this week have involved East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, and Chiltern Railways.
The strikes are part of a two year dispute and have featured 14 national one day strikes.
Mr Whelan said: “It is now a year since we sat in a room with the train companies – and a year since we rejected the risible offer they made”
He continued: “Drivers would not vote to strike if they thought an offer was acceptable. They don’t, and now that offer is dead in the water.”
He believes that Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, is being ‘disingenuous’, in regards to his comments about the offers given to union members.
Whilst disruptive strikes have ceased today, this weekend will see train operators refusing to work non-contractual overtime, which is expected to cause further disruption.
Train operators are urging passengers to check before they travel to ensure that they won’t be affected by the strikes.