The train drivers’ union Aslef will stand down its five days of additional strikes at LNER after the state-owned operator withdrew plans to impose minimum service levels during next week’s industrial action.
LNER, which runs trains on the east coast mainline from London to Scotland, had told Aslef it intended to use the controversial new laws to run trains during the initial 24-hour strike called for Friday 2 February.
The union then said it would strike for another five days from 5 to 9 February, which it has now rescinded in response to the climbdown.
The minimum service levels legislation passed by the Conservatives had not been tested until now. Ministers have been privately lobbying train operators to use the new powers during rolling strikes across England next week.
LNER, which along with Northern and Southeastern is run by the state’s own operator, had been under particular pressure to impose minimum service levels, compelling some drivers to work during the strike and run a minimum 40% of the usual timetable.
While LNER has not publicly confirmed its plans or retraction, the apparent U-turn throws further doubt over the new laws, which rail industry bosses already feared could be unworkable.
No other train company has confirmed whether it would attempt to use the new laws, but it is understood that none have yet started the formal process of consultation ahead of issuing notices obliging staff to work.
An LNER spokesperson said: “We welcome news that the threat of extended disruption to our services has been lifted. We encourage Aslef to work with us to find a way to end this long running dispute which only damages the rail industry.”
An Aslef spokesperson said: “As LNER have withdrawn their minimum service levels, we have withdrawn our five additional days of action.”
Unions in all sectors have vowed to oppose the new minimum services levels law, which they say removes the right to strike. The TUC general secretary, Paul Nowak, said: “No decent employer would force workers to work during strikes – and threaten them with the sack if they fail to comply. We are clear. The full force of the union movement will stand behind any worker disciplined or sacked for exercising their right to strike.
“Unions will keep fighting this spiteful legislation. We won’t stop until it is repealed.”
Industrial action by train drivers will still proceed next week, but with just one 24-hour strike at LNER, in line with action across England on different days from Tuesday 30 January and Monday 5 February.
Aside from LNER, drivers will strike at Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Thameslink and South Western Railway on Tuesday 30 January; at Northern Trains and TPE on Wednesday 31 January; at Greater Anglia and C2C on Friday 2 February; at West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast and East Midlands Railway on Saturday 3 February; and at Great Western, CrossCountry and Chiltern on Monday 5 February.
Drivers will also work to rule across all the companies, including refusing to work overtime, throughout the strike period, which is likely to cause additional disruption for operators such as TransPennine Express that rely on rest day working.
