Train strikes & OT ban against Northern and LNER March 1st

Northern have now confirmed that they will run no services on 1 March

Thanks, Nigel--hopefully they will get the strikes out of their system by the time I get there! 😊

LNER have now confirmed their timetable for 1 March. It is now in the journey planners and tickets are back on sale. As usual on strike days they will run no service north of Edinburgh or on any of their branches, except to Leeds.

Please also note a separate thread regarding engineering work on Saturday and Sunday 2 and 3 March, closing the line between Northallerton and Newcastle.

We may be looking at a general election in the autumn [fall], if not slightly earlier. I'd expect industrial action on the trains to continue until then, and possibly after. It may be possible to make some headway in negotiations when (if?) we have a change of the majority party in government.

Further to my post above responding indirectly to Mardee, I saw an article in The Guardian where the head of the RMT Union echoes what I said really closely. I did dance around it a little to keep my posts here within community guidelines, but I pretty much called it a day or so before Mick Lynch said as much. You don't get off the cuff political analysis like that on the TripAdvisor forums lol

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/feb/24/mick-lynch-says-voters-must-grow-up-and-see-starmer-is-only-alternative

Without getting into the weeds of politics, visitors to the UK can expect some disruption to train services throughout the summer. I wouldn't expect the level of strike action to increase, and it is within the framework of having at least 14 days notice of any action. The refund and delay compensation procedures for tickets bought in advance run by the train companies do work really well these days if your journey is disrupted. I hope other knock-on effects that may arise are minimal for forum members.

Try not to worry about it too much and keep checking this forum for updates.

GerryM again without venturing into cesspool of politics, this is the same Mike Lynch who 24 hours later said he is supporting far left Corbyn over Starmer?

Haha... I didn't see that quote Nigel but yes, it probably is. It's all politics! Got to keep Sir Keir on his toes! I know my late dad would have loved Corbyn and his policies back in the 70's, but he was ever the pragmatist, so I'd like to think that he'd share my views on how much chance Jezza would have had of actually running the country successfully in the 21st century. Hearing that the leader of the most powerful trade union in the country voiced support for Jeremy Corbyn doesn't exactly make me surprise pikachu face. All's fair etc...

Interesting discussion! I don't fully understand British politics but it's always fascinating to read. I will keep checking and keep knocking on wood that everything goes smoothly. If not, I'm sure I'll figure something out. Thanks, everyone!

I really hope that I am proven wrong, but my expectation is of rail strikes over the Easter weekend.

They may take three forms-
1. Actual strike action; 2. An Overtime ban; 3. Disobedience- where the staff agree to work certain rosters, but then just call in sick on the day, so disrupting services heavily without notice. Next day or the day after everyone is magically well again!

I am expecting Option 3 as I would hope that even ASLEF have the common sense to realise an actual strike will not be taken well by the travelling public.
Up here in the north Option 3 is happening quite frequently- the guessing game is whether it will be Workington or Barrow shed who engage in those antics next, and when. This week's Northern strikes all seem to be about management trying to manage that kind of situation. The two sheds seem to alternate in these campaigns of mass "sickness"- which is actually quite hilarious on one level.

maybe best if another thread picks up Easter so folks reading here can get their answers about the 1st and days around - it is just around the corner whereas Easter is over the brow of the hill...