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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Ben Glaze

Train drivers staging three fresh strikes including on FA Cup Final and Derby day

Train drivers are to stage three fresh strikes in the long-running dispute over pay, including on the day of the FA Cup Final .

The Aslef union announced action would take place on June 3, when Manchester United and Manchester City are due to play at Wembley.

The strike could also affect travel to horse racing's Derby, which takes place at Epsom Downs on that Saturday.

Union members will also walk out on May 12 and 31, with sources warning the May 12 strike will have an impact on Eurovision fans travelling to Liverpool for the final the following day.

The UK is hosting the singing event on behalf of last year's winner, Ukraine.

The union said it has rejected a "risible" 4% pay offer from the 16 train companies with which it remains in dispute.

General secretary Mick Whelan said drivers have not had a pay rise at those companies since 2019.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan (Getty Images)

He said: "Our executive committee met this morning and rejected a risible proposal we received from the Rail Delivery Group.

"The proposal - of just 4% - was clearly not designed to be accepted as inflation is still running north of 10% and our members at these companies have not had an increase for four years.

"The RDG, in turn, rejected our proposals to modernise Britain's railways and help them run more efficiently, for passengers and for businesses, in the 21st century.

"Consequently, we have today announced three more days of strike action on Friday May 12, Wednesday May 31 and Saturday June 3 at the companies with which we are in dispute, and which are letting down passengers, and taxpayers, so badly.

"We are also withdrawing non-contractual overtime from Monday, May 15 to Saturday, 20 inclusive, as well as on Saturday May 13 and Thursday June 1."

Downing Street said it was "incredibly disappointed" by the decision.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "I's incredibly disappointing that Aslef has taken this action. By choosing these specific dates they are looking to disrupt the FA Cup Final, thousands of people will be impacted and that will also include displaced Ukrainians trying to attend Eurovision."

The spokesman said the offer had been "fair and reasonable" to both passengers and rail workers.

Sources said the May 12 strike will also have an impact on Eurovision fans travelling to Liverpool for the final the following day.

A Rail Delivery Group spokesman said: “This is disappointing news for our customers and staff, more strike action is totally unnecessary and will only heap more pressure on an industry already facing an acute financial crisis.

“Senselessly targeting both the final of Eurovision and the FA cup final is disappointing for all those planning to attend.

“After many weeks of negotiations with the Aslef leadership today, we made a revised and fair offer including a pay rise of 8% over two years.

“It would have introduced overdue, common-sense improvements already in place in parts of the network, which would see more trains running on time for passengers.

“Sadly, this has been rejected.”

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