LNER train drivers call off weekend strikes after talks

Three months worth of weekend strikes by train drivers have been called off following successful talks. Aslef members working for LNER - the government-owned train operator of the East Coast Main Line - had planned to walk out at weekends from Saturday to 10 November, after the union claimed there had been a breakdown in industrial relations.

- ATHENA STAVROU

More than 20 days of strikes were planned which could have caused misery for customers facing disrupted services in the coming months. However, Aslef has now said strike action is suspended and drivers will report for duty as normal, following meetings between the union and the company.

“Once again we have demonstrated that by sitting round the table and negotiating, issues on the railway can be resolved in a way that means better workplace practices for rail workers and a better service for the travelling public,” Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said.

“Aslef will continue to campaign for a fully staffed railway that doesn’t rely on excessive use of driver overtime. We continue to operate in good faith and we are pleased to have finally resolved this long-standing issue with LNER of abuse of our agreements. We look forward to normal working resuming.”