Train drivers call off extra strike days after LNER minimum service law U-turn
The train drivers’ union Aslef will stand down its five days of additional strikes at LNER after the state-owned operator withdrew plans to impose minimum service levels during next week’s industrial action.
LNER, which runs trains on the east coast main line from London to Scotland, had told Aslef it intended to use the controversial new laws to run trains during the strikes.
The minimum service levels legislation passed by the Conservatives has not yet been tested until now. Ministers have been privately lobbying train operators to use the new powers during rolling strikes across all of England’s train operators next week and the LNER U-turn throws doubt over how workable the new law is in practice.
While LNER has not confirmed it planned to compel some drivers to work during the strike to run a minimum 40% of the usual timetable, it is understood that its plans prompted the Aslef escalation of action announced last week, which is now to be withdrawn.
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