Elizabeth Line train drivers set to strike over pay

Train drivers on London's Elizabeth Line are to stage a series of strikes in a dispute over pay with their employer MTR, their union Aslef has announced.

Almost 500 drivers will walk out on 27 February and on 1, 8 and 10 March.

Mick Whelan, Aslef's general secretary, said: "Our members have been instrumental in the success of the Elizabeth line but, despite our best efforts, MTR has decided not to recognise the input, the importance, and the value of train drivers in this success."

MTR's managing director Mike Bagshaw said he was "disappointed that drivers on the Elizabeth line have rejected a 4.5% pay rise and voted for industrial action".

The strike decision comes after ballot which had a turnout of 88% where 95% of drivers voted in favour of industrial action and 5% voted against.

Nigel Gibson, one of Aslef's district organisers, said: "Taking action is always a last resort, because we do not want to inconvenience passengers and our members do not want to lose money, and I hope that the company, seeing the strength of feeling amongst our members, their drivers, will do the right thing and return to the negotiating table."

Mr Whelan added: "I suspect that the company's intransigence is because it has lost the contract with Transport for London (TfL) to run the Elizabeth line.

"If that is indeed the case, it is very disappointing to see the company behave this way."

Mr Bagshaw added: "The offer would have maintained some of the highest salaries in the industry, along with enhanced terms and conditions."

He added: "We remain committed to engaging with Aslef in the hope of resolving this dispute."

A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said: "We encourage ASLEF and MTR Elizabeth line to continue working towards resolving this dispute and avoid impacting our customers with strike action."

The capital's newest line opened in May 2022. It runs from Reading and Heathrow, west London across to Shenfield, Essex.

MTR will cease to operate the Elizabeth line on 24 May, at which point it will hand over to a consortium of Go-Ahead Group, Tokyo Metro and Sumitomo Corporation.

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