Rail strikes to end ahead of 'critical' period for sector

The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers & Firemen (ASLEF) yesterday (Wednesday 18 September) announced union members had voted in favour of ending the national pay dispute that has been ongoing for more than two years.

Since the walkouts began, UKH estimated hospitality firms had lost out on £3.5bn in sales​ as the “enormously disruptive” industrial action impacted both workers and consumers.

UKH chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “Hospitality businesses will be breathing a huge sigh of relief at the news ASLEF members have voted to end the union’s national pay dispute.

Enormously disruptive 

“The strikes have been enormously disruptive over the past two and a half years, with businesses estimated to have lost out on £3.5bn in sales as a result.

“It’s also cost workers who have not been able to make it for shifts and impacted families who have had to cancel plans.

“A resolution as we head towards the winter months and the critical ‘golden quarter’, when hospitality makes a significant chunk of its revenue around Christmas, was absolutely essential.

“With a line now drawn under this dispute, I hope all parties can work together to rebuild faith and confidence in our rail network, which is so critical to hospitality, leisure and tourism.”

Fair offer 

Aslef union members accepted an offer which included a 5% backdated pay rise for 2022-23, a 4.75% rise for 23-24, and a 4.5% increase for 24-25.

The vote saw an 88.53% turnout, with 96.58% of respondents voting in favour of the deal and just 3.42% voting against it.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “The offer is fair and is what we have always asked for, a clean offer, without a land grab for our terms & conditions.

“We achieved more in the first four weeks of a Labour government than we managed under a Tory Government that set out to destroy us.”