'We've not had a pay rise for three years': Aslef train drivers picket at Glasgow Central Station

Aslef union members working for TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast are on strike in Scotland amid the dispute.

Drivers said they have been forced into action - claiming they have not had a pay rise for three years and have not even been made an offer.

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ScotRail services are not affected in this dispute, meaning all of its services are running as normal.

Colin Mearns (Image: Colin Mearns)

Jim Baxter, Aslef Scottish executive committee member, said: “We are three years down the line now from a pay rise.

"We’ve not even had an offer and enough is enough.

"Drivers in the railway worked all the way through the pandemic to make sure that key workers got to their workplace and all they’re asking for is for an offer, a fair offer to be made.

"Unfortunately, the rail industry has been shackled by the UK Government and has refused to make an offer to our members and this is just not acceptable.

“It is three years of real terms pay being cut."

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A spokesperson for Avanti West Coast said: “Yet again our customers will bear the brunt of the industrial action and face more days of unnecessary disruption.

“We need to be all working together for the long-term benefit of our people and customers. So, we ask the unions again to engage in meaningful industry reform talks around modernising working practices and developing a railway fit for the 21st century.

“We would like to reiterate our thanks to our customers for their patience and understanding.”

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, said: “We want to give our people a pay deal, but the money can only come from taking more from taxpayers after they contributed record amounts to keep rail going during the pandemic, higher ticket prices for passengers when they too are feeling the squeeze, or by committing to sensible and long-overdue reforms which will improve the punctuality and reliability and attract more people back to the network.

"We ask Aslef to keep the door open to talks so we can find a solution that works for everyone and secured a bright future for the industry and our staff.”