Train drivers poised to derail Britain with biggest strike in 25 years

TRAIN drivers are poised to derail Britain with their biggest strikes in 25 years.

Aslef members from eight rail companies voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action on pay.

General secretary Mick Whelan said they had been forced into action as they had not had a salary increase since 2019.

He added: “We want an increase in line with the cost of living.

"We want to be able to buy, in 2022, what we could buy in 2021.”

The ballot involved workers at Chiltern, LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express, London Overground, Great Western, Southeastern and West Midlands.

They voted by about nine to one in favour of strikes on turnouts of more than 85 per cent.

Dates for the biggest drivers’ strike since 1995 have not been announced but the union must give a fortnight’s notice.

The Department for Transport urged Aslef to reconsider — saying drivers typically earn about £60,000 a year.

Meanwhile, the TSSA union said more than 70 per cent of its Southeastern members have also backed strikes.

Results of a ballot of its Network Rail members are expected imminently.

The strike threats follow an RMT walkout which brought services to a halt last month.

However, Aslef members from ScotRail ended their dispute which caused a two-month reduced timetable by accepting a five per cent pay rise.