UK rail commuters are facing significant disruptions due to a series of strikes by Aslef union members, which commenced on Tuesday and are scheduled to continue through Thursday, stemming from a pay dispute that has been ongoing for over two years. The strike, described as one of the longest industrial actions in the rail industry, involves train drivers across 14 rail operators in England and includes an overtime ban until Saturday.

The dispute primarily revolves around demands for a pay increase, with Aslef indicating that its members have not received a rise for five years. The Rail Delivery Group, representing the operators, has called for negotiations in an effort to resolve the gridlock but insists on reforms to reduce costs and the amount of taxpayer subsidies provided to railways post-Covid.

This industrial action is causing widespread cancellations and disruptions, affecting not only commuters but also putting economic pressure on sectors like hospitality that rely on efficient rail services. Additional disruptions are also occurring due to a separate strike by engineers on the Croydon Tramlink over a different pay dispute.

The Aslef union, railway operators, and government officials have yet to reach an agreement, resulting in ongoing uncertainty and inconvenience for millions of commuters who rely on these rail services. Passengers are being advised to check for service updates before traveling.