Are there UK strikes in February 2024? Planned train strikes and more | News News

February will continue to see strike action across the country, with some action already having taken place and more planned, with the potential of causing widespread disruption.

Rail workers were amongst the first to walk out at the start of the month, with 17 train companies affected in total.

Abellio bus depot employees in Twickenham and Battersea have four days of industrial action planned, as do almost 2,000 driving test examiners in England, Scotland, and Wales.

In other industries, English National Opera staff cancelled a planned walked out on the first day of the month, while a dispute with refuse workers in Cardiff continues to impact services.

Here is a look at all upcoming February 2024 strike dates to be aware of, why employees are walking out and how it could impact you.

It’s worth noting that strike action can be called off at the last minute, subject to negotiation, so always check the latest information before arranging things like travel plans.

Train drivers

Train drivers who are members of Aslef Union began a three day strike on Friday, February 2 over a pay dispute.

They have also refused to work any non-contractual overtime until Tuesday, February 6.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said drivers need a pay increase to cope with the cost of living.

‘Many of our members have now not had a single penny increase to their pay in half a decade, during which inflation soared and with it the cost of living.

‘Train drivers didn’t even ask for an increase during the Covid-19 pandemic when they worked throughout as key workers, risking their lives to allow NHS and other workers to travel.’

A separate LNER strike called by Aslef and due to run between February 5 and 9 has been called off. 

We’ve listed the current planned strike dates and which rail operators are affected below.

After February’s sporadic strikes are over, London trains will trial a cheaper tariff on Friday travel – making it a great time to save some money if you’re in and around the city for a day out.

Bus depot workers

Bus control room staff in south London, who walked out on January 19 and 26 in a row over pay have another four days planned, with the first having taken place on February 2. The next planned dates are Friday 9, 16 and 23.

The strikes will disrupt at least 18 bus route services that run from Abellio depots in Battersea and Twickenham.

These include the following bus numbers: 24, 27, 111, 156, 159, 267, 285, 322, 344, 345, 415, 490, 969, H20, H25, H26, R68, and R70.

Driving test examiners

Driving test examiners nationwide are set to stage a walkout from February 9 to 11, affecting 270 test centres.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are striking in protest at ‘flawed’ plans demanding instructors deliver 150,000 more tests by the end of March.

The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) called the decision to strike ‘disappointing’.

Examiners have warned carrying out the extra tests could post ‘significant’ safety risks for both them and their clients.

Cardiff refuse workers

Strike action by Unite members working within Cardiff council’s refuse and recycling department has been going on since December 28. 

The walkout was extended by a further four weeks and will now continue until Thursday, February 22.

The strike extension was in response to Cardiff council’s failure to make any progress in relation to Unite’s concerns on a number of local issues. 

Unite says the most prominent of these is the ‘widespread bullying culture within the refuse and recycling department alongside the ingrained use of agency labour’.

‘Rather than seeking to resolve this strike, Cardiff council seem intent on worsening industrial relations,’ Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.

English National Opera musicians and singers

A planned strike by musicians and performers in the English National Opera over planned cuts to its workforce was suspended ahead of its planned date of February 1.

On Monday, the performing arts union Equity announced an interim settlement with the ENO and said it expected a full resolution soon.

‘We are pleased to announce that Equity has reached an interim settlement with the English National Opera for the chorus.’

‘Although this does not mark the absolute end of negotiations, we are confident that constructive talks can lead to a full resolution in the coming weeks.’

London Overground staff

More than 300 staff working on London Overground will take industrial action over pay later this month.

Members of the RMT union – which includes security, station, revenue and control staff – have planned a walk out from midnight on Monday, February 19 until midnight Tuesday, February 20.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE : When are the next train strikes? All the dates and rail services affected this week

MORE : Strikes that would have caused travel chaos in London suspended at last minute

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