Time to rejig your travel plans, Lizzie line commuters! Due to a pay dispute, Elizabeth line train drivers are set to strike on four separate days over the next two months.
You’ll remember that the last time the Elizabeth line experienced strikes – it was on New Year’s Eve with members of the Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) taking action.
This time it’s members of the Aslef union. Aslef has attributed the dispute to the operator, MTR Elizabeth line.
Aslef’s general secretary, Mick Whelan, stated: “Our members have played a key role in the Elizabeth line’s success – it’s a true partnership between the company and its employees. Despite our efforts, MTR has chosen not to acknowledge the contribution, significance, and value of train drivers in making this success possible.”
When is the strike taking place?
Two out of the four of the strikes have been postponed as of February 25.
- Thursday, February 27 (postponed)
- Saturday, March 1 (postponed)
- Saturday, March 8
- Monday, March 10
With nearly all drivers on the line belonging to the union, the strike is backed by an overwhelming majority – almost 500 drivers are walking out for four days.
The strike is part of a dispute over pay with MTR Elizabeth line, the people who manage the service (not TfL), with drivers belonging to the union rejecting a 4.5 percent pay increase.
Mike Bagshaw, managing director for MTR Elizabeth line, said: ‘We are disappointed that drivers on the Elizabeth line have rejected a 4.5 per cent pay rise and voted for industrial action. The offer would have maintained some of the highest salaries in the industry, along with enhanced terms and conditions.
The Elizabeth line, a major cross-London transit route that launched in May 2022, serves around 800,000 passengers daily.
What stations are affected?
While other London transport services, including the Tube, Overground, and national rail services, will operate as usual during the strikes – these are some of the major stations likely to be affected:
- Reading
- Slough
- Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3
- Ealing Broadway
- Paddington
- Bond Street
- Tottenham Court Road
- Farringdon
- Liverpool Street
- Whitechapel
- Stratford
- Ilford
- Romford
- Shenfield
- Canary Wharf
- Custom House
- Woolwich
- Abbey Wood