London train strikes in June 2023: RMT announce new walkout date

The RMT union has announced fresh strike action for June 2, the day before Aslef’s walkout which will affect the FA Cup final and the Epsom Derby.
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London commuters are set to face further disruptions next month, as the RMT union has announced a new strike date.

The strike will see 20,000 railway workers in catering, train managers and station staff walkout on Friday June 2.

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The day after, on June 3 train drivers representing the Aslef union will also strike, coinciding with the FA Cup final at Wembley between Manchester City and Manchester United, and the Epsom Derby.

Aslef members are also set to walk out on May 31, meaning there will be three rail strikes within four days.

The RMT union has announced a new strike date for June 2The RMT union has announced a new strike date for June 2
The RMT union has announced a new strike date for June 2

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

The RMT said no new proposals had been put forward by the train companies since the union’s last strike action on May 13.

What dates are the London strikes taking place?

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Aslef members from 15 train companies will walkout on Wednesday May 31, and Saturday June 3 2023.

RMT members from 14 companies will also strike on Friday June 2.

Which London train lines will be affected?

The rail operators impacted by the strikes are Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Gatwick Express; Great Northern; Great Western Railway; Greater Anglia / Stansted Express; Heathrow Express (May 31 and June 3); LNER; London Northwestern Railway; Northern; Southeastern; Southern; South Western Railway; Thameslink; TransPennine Express; West Midlands Railway.

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

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

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.

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"The government now needs to unlock the RDG and allow them to make an offer that can be put to a referendum of our members."

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 government saying?

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A spokesperson for the Department for Transport also 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."