London Midland says ASLEF should ‘get off the fence and urge drivers to return to work on Sundays and allow midweek overtime to put an end to disruption for passengers.’
On Sunday (March 27) there will significant disruption across the London Midland network for the third consecutive Sunday.
London Midland claim that ‘many drivers are refusing to work overtime on Sundays (March 13, 20 & 27) and ASLEF have refused to allow drivers to work mid week overtime. This means London Midland will have to operate a reduced and restricted special timetable across its network.’
ASLEF has stated the Sunday disruption is nothing to do with them, but London Midland Director of Operations and Safety, Wallace Weatherill, said the Union should be clear about its position.
“ASLEF has stated publicly that this is nothing to do with them. If this is the case we want them to support and encourage their members returning to work and make it clear Sundays are being paid at well over the ASLEF agreed level so that London Midland passengers do not face further disruption.
“Our message to ASLEF is simple: we know that the overtime disruption is linked to our disagreement on terms and conditions, so let’s get talking and put an end to this unnecessary disruption.”
“Our drivers do a demanding and highly responsible job, but our disagreement is with ASLEF and its unrealistic terms and conditions demands, rather than individual drivers,’ Mr Weatherill added.
London Midland is running a limited timetable on Sunday, but is advising passengers not to travel unless absolutely necessary
