TRAIN drivers are set to go on strike from next month in a dispute over pay.
The union for train drivers, Aslef, confirmed the walk out tonight as members from nine companies across the country strike on Saturday, August 13.
In Sussex, Southeastern drivers will be striking which will affect train services in Hastings towards Ashford International.
While services from Battle up to Tunbridge Wells will also be affected.
The announcement came as the planned walk out by signallers affected services all across Sussex.
Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said: “Strikes are always the last resort.
“We don’t want to inconvenience passengers – our friends and families use public transport, too – and we don’t want to lose money by going on strike but we’ve been forced into this position by the companies, who say they have been driven to this by the Tory government.
“Many of our members – who were the men and women who moved key workers and goods around the country during the pandemic – have not had a pay rise since 2019.
“With inflation running at north of 10% that means those drivers have had a real terms pay cut over the last three years. We want an increase in line with the cost of living – we want to be able to buy, in 2022, what we could buy in 2021.
“It’s not unreasonable to ask your employer to make sure you’re not worse off for three years in a row. Especially as the train companies are doing very nicely, thank you, out of Britain’s railways – with handsome profits, dividends for shareholders, and big salaries for managers – and train drivers don’t want to work longer for less.”
Union members are also walking out this Saturday, July 30.
Across the country, train drivers for Avanti West Coast, Cross Country, Arriva Rail London, Great Western, LNER, Greater Anglia, Hull Trains and West Midlands Trains will also be striking.
Meanwhile, Southern Railway and Thameslink are advising commuters that trains will start later tomorrow due to striking signallers starting later.
The first service to London Victoria from Brighton will be at 7.17am, while the first service to London Bridge from Brighton will be at 7.28am.
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