Train strikes: London commuters face more travel pain as fresh rail walkouts announced

Commuters are facing more travel misery as drivers after two train operators announced fresh industrial action in disputes separate to the ongoing national row over pay.

Members of Aslef at Avanti West Coast will strike on July 2, while drivers employed by London North Eastern Railway (LNER) will refuse to work overtime from July 1 until further notice.

Union Aslef said the dispute with Avanti West Coast is over sick pay changes, which the company is accused of trying to “force through without agreement”.

LNER is accused of failing to adhere to “agreed procedures”.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: “It is deeply regrettable that Aslef members have been forced to take this action but our members will not stand by and allow our agreed terms and conditions to be violated by the train operating companies.

“We have been coming to the table to try to resolve these disputes for many months but unless the operators honour the agreements in place with our members, we will be forced to continue taking action.

“The companies know how to avoid this action – it’s by honouring their agreements and negotiating fairly with our members.”

It comes after Aslef announced earlier this week that its members at 15 train firms have voted overwhelmingly to continue taking industrial action for the rest of the year in the national pay dispute.

Andy Mellors, Avanti’s managing director, said: “We’re extremely disappointed that Aslef has again chosen to disrupt the travel plans of so many.

“Thousands of customers, who have already bought tickets, will now be forced to make alternative arrangements at a time when we should be working together to encourage more people to travel by train.

“We’d urge the union to call off the action and work with us to avoid another summer of disruption.”