Labour MPs were exposed to the fury of constituents when rail passengers were forced into sleeping at stations overnight as drivers started their 24-hour strike.
Dawn Butler, Brent Central MP, and Barry Gardiner for Brent North were seen laughing in the picket line outside Willesden Green stations as militant union bosses cut off large sections of Britain’s rail system on Saturday.
The pair stood in solidarity against drivers who cause misery to thousands of passengers and described Aslef union’s walkout by calling it a “powerful statement”.
Later Mr Gardiner stated that he was writing to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to criticize the government’s handlings of the strike. He also called for Arriva rail London to be punished for not providing service.
As bleary-eyed travelers awaken to new chaos at London’s Paddington Station on Saturday morning, shutters were also closed at London Euston station and other commuter stations as nine rail corporations went on strike.
Picket lines were formed outside Newcastle Central Station on Saturday as passengers from all across Britain experienced delays, cancellations, and reduced rail services.
Aslef Members at Nine Train Companies are on Strike for 24 Hours, causing significant damage to large portions of the network as well as affecting rail access in parts of the country.
Railway companies have advised customers that they can expect delays and busy carriages as reduced services are offered throughout the day. Large swathes will be without access to rail networks until Sunday.
Fans shared their nightmares about having to travel thousands of miles to see their football teams play on Saturday.
Tourists, holidaymakers and others were affected by industrial action.
Coldplay fans were advised to be prepared for disruption if attending the Grammy winner’s concert at Wembley Stadium. The band had already had to postpone an earlier concert because of strikes.
Train passengers had to stay at their stations today as drivers of trains began their 24-hour strike. Meanwhile, bosses beg the militant union barons for crunch talks in order to end this summer’s discontent.
Travellers with bleary eyes were seen waking up in chaos at London’s Paddington station.
Dawn Butler, Labour MP (left), and Barry Gardiner are seen outside Willesden Green Station in London. They were pictured with Aslef general Secretary Mick Whelan.
Dawn Butler MP, after applauding the Aslef Union drivers, speaks at Willesden Green station.
A few picketing Aslef driver pose in front of Willesden Green station, Saturday
Barry Gardiner, Labour MP and right, speaks with an Aslef young supporter on Saturday morning
Aslef members at Newcastle Central Station picket on Saturday
Today’s striking union drivers include Arriva Rail London London, Avanti West coast, CrossCountry and Greater Anglia.
By midday Saturday, around 50 had joined the MPs at Willesden Green Station on the picket lines.
Arriva Rail London driver said that she chose to be a picket leader in London because they are ‘not ready to talk to the drivers.’
She stated that they had made a profit of multi-millions in their last year. They also paid all shareholders and the management received bonuses. We are now in an economic crisis.
They aren’t willing to have a conversation with drivers and other staff members about how to pay workers better.
“It’s not only for us drivers; it’s also for other employees who are more vulnerable. We were also threatened with losing our jobs despite the fact that they are making a profit.
This strike has prevented trains from running today on London Overground or CrossCountry.
Aslef will set up picket lines at railway stations. However, officials said they expected continued support from public even with the adverse effects of the actions.
On Saturday, picketing drivers gathered at Willesden Junction Station, north-west London. They displayed banners and posters near a bridge as they protested the disruption.
Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, warned that more strikes were on the cards should talks over pay and modernisation plans fall through.
He explained that strike action is not something we want. Strikes are always an option last resort. But the Government and the companies forced us to do so.
“We don’t want passengers to be inconvenienced because our friends use public transport, as we believe that trust should be built in Britain’s railways and we don’t want any loss of money through industrial action.”
He continued, “It is great to be here.” Seek out the passion displayed by people who are fighting for their rights, their wages and their futures.
“It’s important that other people show solidarity just as much as we show solidarity with trade union members. This is because it’s a problem in all sectors of the economy.
“This is not just for rail workers. This is all workers across the globe who, after 12 years’ of austerity have a right to a pay raise.”
“It was great to have two articulate and brave MPs here this morning. They stand for the Trade Unions, support Brent, and have always supported me.”
Today, members of Aslef the driver’s union at nine railway operators walked out after a lengthy dispute over pay and modernization.
Aslef members at nine railway companies will leave for 24hrs, crippling major areas of the national network.
Newcastle Central Station is normally crowded with football enthusiasts and families on Saturdays. However, it was empty today as chaos caused by strikes of train driver.
As nine railway companies went on strike today, the shutters at London Euston were shut down.
On Saturday, there were hardly any passengers at Reading Station in Berkshire.
Union drivers today at Avanti West Coast and Arriva Rail London are some of those who strike.
Reading Station in Berkshire, empty platform and train line
As Aslef members strike in the UK, a 12-year old was also seen joining his mom on a London picket line.
Arriva Rail London driver and mother of the boy, who declined to be identified, said that the couple’s decision to participate in the picket lines was a family matter.
He said that he thought the picket line was a positive thing due to what the company has done, and because they aren’t willing to discuss. Politically, it’s something that I love.
He said that he was wishing more of his generation would get involved in the strike and had a better grasp on what it meant.
He said that not many people his age, or teens don’t understand politics well enough to know about the government. I feel they don’t get as represented or reached out as they should.
He addressed teenagers, encouraging them to be involved and said that it looked boring far away. It’s much more exciting when you are closer. It’s not easy to hear the arguments and debates that surround you.
Chairman of Rail Delivery Group Steve Montgomery stated that the Aslef leadership had for the second consecutive week decided to create more uncertainty for passengers, businesses, and disrupt passengers’ weekends plans.
“I extend an open invitation to Aslef to discuss my concerns. While the railway is not an option for this country’s decline, it has 20% less passenger traffic than pre-pandemic. This means that we must find ways to bring more people to it.
“We ask Aslef for help, in order to fund the raise we desire to pay our employees while also delivering Sunday services that are more punctual and improve the quality of service we provide to our passengers.
“While we are doing our best to reduce disruption and get people to their destinations, it is important that all travelers plan in advance and review the travel advice. Also, be aware of the possibility that services might start later than usual the day after strike.
TSSA and RMT union members will go on strike August 18-20, while London Underground drivers and London bus drivers will take industrial action August 19.
Unofficial Aslef action was strongly denied by the union, while a dispute continued to rage on Avanti West Coast over the cuts in Sunday services. Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, and the company blamed the reductions on the company.
A spokesperson for Department for Transport said that the announcements by the company regarding timetable changes were unavoidable. However, this should minimize the negative impact on passengers.
“This is a great example of the reason we must modernize our railways so that passengers enjoy reliable timetables and not rely on volunteers to work overtime.
According to the Department of Transport, it is utterly false that they claim the Government had blocked negotiations.
“We stated that from the start we urged the unions as well the industry to come up with a fair deal for all railway employees, taxpayers, and passengers.
The department pointed out that £16 billion was spent to keep the railway running during the height of the pandemic, adding that without that support there was a risk companies would have collapsed, and thousands of jobs could have been lost.
Rail workers have seen above average pay increases over the past decade, with their wages increasing by around 25% from £35,000 in 2011 to £44,000 in 2021, said the department, adding that rail staff pay increases must be ‘fair and in line with the wider public sector.’