TRAINS will run on only three London Midland routes on Sunday, as a war of words continues between the operator and the train drivers’ union ASLEF, which denies an accusation that it is holding London Midland ‘to ransom’ over the issue of Sunday pay.
London Midland is warning its passengers that trains will run on only three routes on Sunday. These include core services between London Euston and Milton Keynes Central, but even here there will be only an hourly service, with the last train of the day leaving London at 19.53.
The other routes still open will be Blake Street–Birmingham–Redditch and the Stourbridge Town shuttle.
ASLEF said the problem concerned the fact that Sunday working is voluntary, and that two years ago LM increased the rate to double time, in order to attract more volunteers. This rate is now being reduced again.
The union added: ‘The coming weekend is the first time drivers are expected to work for a lower rate of pay than they have had for the past two years. They have individually decided how to react.’
General secretary Keith Norman explained: “I don’t see what other reaction the company could expect. They cut the rate of pay and then they are surprised when no one snatches their hand off. ASLEF has not asked anyone not to work this weekend. But equally I would be surprised if there is a queue to do so.”
Meanwhile, London Midland said the union demands were ‘unrealistic’, and it had been trying to reach agreement with ASLEF on harmonising terms and conditions.
It added that the payment of double time ‘was never a long-term arrangement and, as harmonisation has so far been unsuccessful, London Midland believes it is unsustainable to continue to pay this rate’.
Wallace Weatherill, who is London Midland’s Director of Operations and Safety, said: “London Midland is phasing these temporary Sunday arrangements from double time to time-and-a-half over four months to allow families to budget for the change. Our drivers do a demanding and highly responsible job, but our disagreement is with ASLEF and its unrealistic demands, rather than individual drivers.
“This orchestrated action comes quickly after ASLEF’s refusal to work Monday to Saturday overtime, and the union position is totally unreasonable.”
As a result of the impasse, London Midland is advising its passengers not travel on Sunday unless their journeys are absolutely necessary.