More misery as railway union head Mick Whelan threatens to strike for another 18 months until wage demands are met

A RAIL union leader yesterday threatened another eighteen months of strike misery – because commuters were stranded by new strikes.

Aslef boss Mick Whelan promised that train drivers would continue to take industrial action until their wage demands are met “if that is necessary”.

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He spoke out as the union began a week of strikes, which will run parallel to a nine-day overtime ban that took effect on Monday.

The strikes it was expected that this would be the first test of the minimum service levels aimed at ensuring operators can operate 40 percent of services, but no rail operator has taken advantage of the law.

Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Whelan said: “The government's own impact analysis said that minimum service levels would inevitably lead to more strikes.”

No10 said it would consider how best to “strengthen” the rules.

The Ministry of TransportMeanwhile, Aslef's leadership said members would not be allowed to vote on an offer to increase the average salary of drivers to £65,000.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “The Aslef leadership is refusing to let their members vote on an offer that would increase the average driver's salary to £65,000.

“The Minister for Transport and the Minister for Railways have already facilitated discussions that have led to this fair and reasonable offer from the industry. Aslef bosses must take it to their members so that we can resolve the dispute, which has already happened with the RMT, TSSA and Unite unions. ”