All Sussex railway passengers are warned to expect significant disruption and advised to plan ahead and check before you travel between 4th and 9th April. The ASLEF railway union is taking industrial action in an ongoing dispute over pay and working arrangements.
On Monday 8th every Sussex rail services with be subject to a full strike including Gatwick Express, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway and Thameslink.
In addition to strike action, train operators will have an overtime ban from Thursday 4th April to Saturday 6th April, and from Monday 8 April to Tuesday 9 April which could also significantly alter the timetable of trains that are running.
“On the days where full strike action is taking place,” Say National Rail, “this is likely to result in little or no services across large areas of the network operated by the affected train companies. Services are also likely to be disrupted and start later on the day immediately following a full strike day. On days where an overtime ban is in place, the timetable for some train companies may be revised in advance or services subject to short-notice delay or cancellation on the day.
“Passengers are warned to expect significant disruption and advised to plan ahead and check before you travel.
Transport union ASLEF has explained their position and the reasons for industrial action: “When inflation goes up and pay doesn’t, that’s a real-terms pay cut. Train drivers haven’t had a pay increase since 2019, we are seeking a fair pay deal for our members who have been experiencing real terms pay cuts whilst private operators and rolling stock companies (who own the trains and lease them back) have continued to pay out dividends to their shareholders, extracting profits from the railways.
