London train strikes in June 2023: What RMT and ASLEF walkouts are happening this week?

London commuters are facing more travel disruption this week as a new series of rail strikes have kicked off.

Drivers union ASLEF and RMT transport workers union are walking out after a pay deal was rejected, and its members voted to continue action.

Both unions reject the government’s plans for ‘modernisation’ of the railway attached to the offers, such as exploring proposals to remove ticket offices.

Fans travelling to Tottenham for Beyoncé’s concerts and to the Epsom Races are being urged to check their journeys before travelling or seek alternative routes.

What dates are the London strikes taking place?

In a span of four days, there will be three rail strikes, with Aslef train drivers walking out on Wednesday, May 31 and Saturday, June 3, the day of the FA Cup final and Epsom Derby.

Members of the RMT union will strike on Friday, June 2.

An overtime ban for ASLEF members is also being implemented for June 1.

Passengers are advised to check National Rail’s website closer to the date before travelling.

Which London train lines will be affected?

The following lines will be impacted according to the National Rail website.

• Avanti West Coast
• C2C — June 2 only
• Chiltern Railways
• CrossCountry
• East Midlands Railway
• Great Northern
• Great Western Railway
• Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express)
• LNER
• London Northwestern Railway
• Northern Rail
• South Western Railway
• Southeastern (Aslef days only)
• Southern (including Gatwick Express)
• Thameslink
• TransPennine Express
• West Midlands Railway

Regular services will all be running on the Underground, Overground, and Elizabeth lines, but they are expected to be busier than usual.

Are there Tube strikes?

Underground workers who are RMT members voted overwhelmingly in favour of continued strike action last week. 96% of people voted ‘yes’ to strikes, meaning disruption on the tube could continue up until Christmas.

What if you have a train ticket booked for one of the strike days?

If you have a ticket dated for a strike day you will be able to use your ticket on an alternative day, according to National Rail.

What is Aslef saying?

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “We do not want to go on strike — we do not want to inconvenience passengers, we have families and friends who use the railway, too, and we believe in investing in rail for the future of this country. But the blame for this action lies, fairly and squarely, at the feet of the employers who have forced our hand over this by their intransigence. It is now up to them to come up with a more sensible, and realistic, offer and we ask the government not to hinder this process.”

What is the RMT saying?

General secretary Mick Lynch said: "The government is once again not allowing the Rail Delivery Group to make an improved offer that we can consider. Therefore, we have to pursue our industrial campaign to win a negotiated settlement on jobs, pay and conditions. Ministers cannot just wish this dispute away. They underestimate the strength of feeling our members who have just given us a new 6-month strike mandate, continue to support the campaign and the action and are determined to see this through until we get an acceptable resolution.

What is the government saying?

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: "It’s extremely disappointing that for the second time in a month, RMT has decided to call strikes on the same weekend as Aslef, going out of their way to make travelling by train to the FA Cup final, Epsom Derby and a number of music concerts more difficult for thousands of people."