UK Train Drivers Secure 3.6% Pay Rise After Strike Threats on Busy Routes
Avanti West Coast and Aslef union agree 3.6% pay rise for UK train drivers amid strike threat, first government‑approved deal, boosting wages above inflation.
Train drivers operating Avanti West Coast services on busy UK routes, including the London to Manchester line, have secured a 3.6 percent pay rise following negotiations with the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (Aslef) union. The agreement, announced Saturday, marks the first pay deal approved under the tenure of UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The deal also introduces premium pay for Sunday work and additional compensation for drivers working a fifth day in the week.
The pay rise comes after Aslef’s June announcement of plans to ballot members on potential strike action over pay disputes. The agreement includes a 3.6 percent increase for drivers, exceeding the latest inflation rate by 0.7 percentage points. Drivers will also receive time-and-a-half pay for working Sundays and a £720 bonus if they work a fifth day in a week. The deal was first reported by the Sunday Times.
Avanti West Coast, which operates services connecting major cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Liverpool, has faced criticism for service cuts and poor punctuality. According to the Office of Rail and Road, Avanti has the worst punctuality rating among major UK rail operators. The company recently reinstated the 7am Manchester to London service after temporarily cutting it, following public scrutiny.
Under the Labour government, Avanti West Coast is set to be renationalised by spring 2026, with all rail operators due to be under government control by the end of 2027. The government stated it prioritized resolving rail union disputes to improve services and prevent revenue loss.
Opposition lawmaker Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary, criticized the deal, calling it a capitulation to unions and a burden on taxpayers. “Taxpayers are being asked to stump up millions simply to save Burnham’s blushes,” Holden said.
An Aslef spokesperson confirmed the agreement, stating, “Our job is to enhance our members’ terms and conditions, and this deal, struck with Avanti West Coast and approved by the Department for Transport, has been accepted.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said the government welcomed the agreement, emphasizing its role in maintaining rail services and preventing disruption for passengers.
#RailPayRise #AvantiWestCoast #Aslef #UKRailStrike #AndyBurnham #TrainDriversPay #RailIndustrialAction
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