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25
May 2023
Harrogate district rail strikes to hit half-term holiday travel
Rail services across the Harrogate district look set to be hit by cancellations over the half-term holiday as trade union members go on strike over pay and conditions.
The strikes are set to effect services to Harrogate and Knaresborough between Leeds and York.
Industrial action by ASLEF and the RMT unions will hit the region’s train services on three days next week. ASLEF, which largely represents train drivers, will stage its action on Wednesday, May 31 and Saturday, June 3. Customers are advised to avoid travel on those days.
The RMT union, whose 20,000 members work as caterers, train managers and station staff, has announced its own action on Friday, June 2. On that day, customers are advised to check revised timetables before they travel as only a limited service will be in operation.
Train operator Northern said that early-morning and late-night services on Thursday, June 1 would also likely be affected, due to the impact that strikes have on fleet displacement.
In a press release about the national industrial action, ASLEF said:
"Most of the drivers have not had a pay increase at all since 2019 and, with inflation still well over 10% and the cost of living spiralling, this is not acceptable."
Travellers are advised to check revised timetables before leaving home.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:
"The government is once again not allowing the Rail Delivery Group to make an improved offer that we can consider. Therefore, we have to pursue our industrial campaign to win a negotiated settlement on jobs, pay and conditions."
Northern’s new summer timetable came into effect at the weekend. While most services will run as normal, the train operator is urging people who make regular trips on the same trains to use the Check My Timetable feature on its website to see details specific to their local station.
Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:
“We apologise, once again, for the disruption this action by ASELF and the RMT will cause to our customers.
"This latest round of industrial action looks set to hamper people's opportunity to explore the region during the half-term holidays. It's understandably very frustrating.
“We all want to see an end to this dispute and the uncertainty that on-going strike action causes to people’s confidence in the railway.”
Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.
Read more:
- More rail strikes in Harrogate and Knaresborough this week
- Thousands of teachers descend on Harrogate as new strikes called
- No trains in Harrogate district today amid further rail strikes
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