Another round of train strikes gets underway this weekend as a row over pay and conditions continues.

Workers at both Great Western Railway (GWR) and West Midlands Railway - the two firms that run train services in Worcestershire - are expected to take industrial action next week.

National Rail said it was “inevitable that services will be cancelled or severely disrupted” on strike days and that services will start later on the days after the strikes.

On Saturday, October 1 members of ASLEF (the train drivers’ union), RMT (station staff and signallers) and Unite (depot staff) will be on strike. Members of transport union TSSA at West Midlands Railway are also striking on Saturday.

Worcester News:

ASLEF is holding a second day of strike action on Wednesday, October 5, and TSSA members at GWR are striking on Thursday, October 6.

RMT members are expected to strike again on Saturday, October 8.

Both GWR and West Midlands Railway say they will only be able to run very limited service and are advising passengers to only travel if their journey is essential and they have no other means of transport available.

Rail strikes had been planned for September but were called off following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Rail unions call for settlement to disputes

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Transport workers are joining a wave of strike action on October 1, sending a clear message to the government and employers that working people will not accept continued attacks on pay and working conditions at a time when big business profits are at an all-time high. 

“We want a settlement to these disputes where our members and their families can get a square deal. And we will not rest until we get a satisfactory outcome.”

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TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes, said: “We do not take this action lightly.

“We would much rather find a fair negotiated solution to this now long-running dispute, but we simply have no choice.

“Across our railways, our members recently stepped up to the plate yet again and went above and beyond to meet unprecedented demand during the period of public mourning to provide additional services and keep the public safe, much like they did during the pandemic. They prove their worth time and time again and yet they are still undervalued.”