Train drivers to strike before New Year

A row has erupted between union leaders and bosses at Southern Railways over extra pay for working on the 28th December. For most of the country’s workforce this will be the day in lieu for Boxing Day that falls on a Saturday this year and is officially a public holiday. The train company are said to have refused extra pay for working on the 28th, which has made the driver union, Aslef, announce that their members will strike on this day.

One of the busiest lines that runs from the south coast up to London will be severely disrupted should the walkout go ahead and bosses at Southern are pleading for Aslef representatives to come back and continue negotiations with them over a possible deal that would see an end to talks of industrial action. Aslef also revealed that they plan to strike again on the 27th December 2010 and the 3rd January 2011 unless this dispute is resolved soon.

On Monday 28th December many workers will be returning to London and would usually use this service as transport to the capital. This will cause major inconvenience to those workers as well as many on holiday and wanting to head into London to do some post Christmas shopping.

It seems this year has been a major one for strike action by employees as firms have tightened their belt during the heavy recession that has engulfed the country. Cabin crew on airlines, postal workers, coach drivers and other train drivers around the country have almost brought the country to halt in some circumstances and if Southern Railways drivers head the same route it will not be fun.