Hull Trains drivers are set to strike for 56 days starting from March 31 until May 24, following the unfair dismissal of a colleague. As reported by The Telegraph, the Aslef trade union has announced the walkout after the driver raised a safety issue during a meeting with management. The planned strikes threaten significant disruption to services on the East Coast Main Line, with Hull Trains operating seven services a day from London King’s Cross station.
The dispute centers around the dismissal of a Hull Trains driver last year, a decision the union argues was unjust after the driver raised concerns about workload and fatigue during a briefing. However, the company denies the claims, asserting that the decision was made based on safety concerns.
The Dispute Over Safety Concerns
The driver’s dismissal follows an incident in which he raised concerns about fatigue during a company briefing about workload. Aslef claimed that instead of offering support, the driver was dismissed. Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, accused Hull Trains of failing to act responsibly, saying:
“The company’s failure to act responsibly has an impact – and enormous implications – not just for rail workers and passengers at the company but for staff and passengers right across the wider rail industry.”
Whelan went on to emphasize the moral issue at the heart of the dispute, stressing that railway workers should be able to report safety concerns without the fear of punishment or job loss.
“Anyone who works on the railway should be able to report a safety concern without fearing they will be penalised, punished, or lose their livelihood. The company has behaved deplorably. This is a moral issue, because we have a culture on the railway designed to keep everyone safe.”
This dispute has raised wider concerns about the safety culture within the rail industry and the need for companies to prioritize worker well-being to ensure the safe operation of services.
The Impact of the Strike and Previous Industrial Action
Aslef’s planned strikes, set to begin on March 31, are expected to cause major disruptions to Hull Trains services, particularly for passengers using the East Coast Main Line. The strike will affect daily services from London King’s Cross and could have significant consequences for commuters and travellers across the region. The union has 100% membership among drivers, meaning the majority of workers will join the strike, which could increase the impact of the walkout.
This isn’t the first time Aslef has threatened industrial action over the issue, as previous partial strikes—including walkouts on Fridays and Saturdays—had a minimal effect on Hull Trains’ operations. Despite this, the current strike action is set to be more widespread and prolonged, with the union hoping it will force the company to rethink its decision.
Hull Trains previously stated that the earlier partial strikes had led to minor timetable changes. However, with this more extensive action, it remains to be seen how the company will handle the 56-day walkout and its impact on operations.
Background and Driver Compensation
The dismissed driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly earning a salary starting at £72,223 a year according to Hull Trains’ job advertisements. This pay level highlights the high skill and responsibility expected from drivers at Hull Trains. The decision to dismiss a driver earning such a salary has raised further questions about how companies in the industry handle staff welfare and safety concerns.
Despite earlier threats of strikes, the union claims it has strong support for the current industrial action, hoping it will bring the company to the negotiating table and lead to a resolution.
