LNER train drivers call off series of weekend strikes

A series of weekend strikes by LNER train drivers that were set to begin on Saturday have been called off, their union Aslef announced.

The industrial action was planned for every Saturday and Sunday starting this weekend, and running until November 10.

Rail services between London, the North and Scotland were set to be disrupted as a result.

The 22-day strike was planned after the breaking of agreements by the company, Aslef said.

Aslef said strike action is suspended and drivers will report for duty as normal.

The development follows meetings between the union and the company.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said: “Once again we have demonstrated that by sitting round the table and negotiating, issues on the railway can be resolved in a way that means better workplace practices for rail workers and a better service for the travelling public.

“Aslef will continue to campaign for a fully staffed railway that doesn’t rely on excessive use of driver overtime.

“We continue to operate in good faith and we are pleased to have finally resolved this long-standing issue with LNER of abuse of our agreements. We look forward to normal working resuming.”

Train drivers on LNER had been due to be on strike on Saturdays from August 31 to November 9, and Sundays from September 1 to November 10, over a dispute about the breaking of agreements on work practices.

The dispute is separate to the long-running pay row involving drivers across the country which looks set to be resolved after a new long-term pay offer was made.