Latest news with #MickWhelan
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Hull Trains: Strike impacts services for second consecutive day
An East Yorkshire rail operator's train services are set to be disrupted on Saturday due to strike of the Aslef union at Hull Trains have walked out for a second consecutive day in a long-running dispute over the sacking of a union has claimed a driver was unfairly dismissed for raising a safety concern, which the company denies.A spokesperson from Hull Trains apologised for the disruption, adding: "On this occasion, the union has not served their usual notice of suspension for the following day. "While the majority of our services will continue to run, a number have been cancelled."The firm said impacted customers could use alternative Hull Trains services or claim refunds on tickets purchased with other operators via their customer service Whelan, Aslef general secretary, said: "The company's failure to act responsibly has enormous implications not just for rail workers and passengers at Hull Trains but for staff and passengers right across the wider rail network."Anyone who works on the railway should be able to report a safety concern without fearing they will be penalised, punished, or lose their livelihood."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- BBC News
Further Hull Trains rail strike over sacked driver dispute
Train services to and from Hull on Friday have been been disrupted because of a strike by drivers in a long-running dispute over the sacking of a of Aslef at Hull Trains have walked out again, leading to several services being cancelled, including between Hull and London Kings union has claimed a driver was unfairly sacked for raising a safety concern, which the company denied.A Hull Trains spokesperson said the firm was "sorry for the short-notice disruption to Hull Trains services". "While the majority of our services will continue to run, a number have been cancelled," the spokesperson added."This follows a pattern of suspended strike notices from the union, with no suspension notice issued on this occasion."Customers with affected tickets can use alternative Hull Trains services or buy tickets with other operators and claim a refund via our customer service team." 'Moral issue' Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said that Hull Trains had "behaved deplorably"."The company's failure to act responsibly has enormous implications not just for rail workers and passengers at Hull Trains but for staff and passengers right across the wider rail network," he said."This is a moral issue because we have a culture on the railway designed to keep everyone safe."Anyone who works on the railway should be able to report a safety concern without fearing they will be penalised, punished, or lose their livelihood. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
ITV News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Minimum age for train drivers to be lowered to 18 amid shortage
Eighteen-year-olds will be allowed to drive trains amid concerns over driver shortages. The minimum age to take on the role in Britain is to be lowered from 20, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced. Rail services are frequently disrupted because several operators rely on drivers voluntarily working extra shifts to run timetabled services. The Government hopes cutting the age at which people can qualify as a train driver will reduce this reliance on rest day working. It said 87% of cancellations made the night before a service is scheduled to run are caused by driver shortages. The average age of a UK train driver is 48, with 30% set to reach retirement age by 2029. Fewer than 9% of train drivers are female, while under 12% are from an ethnic minority. The size of the workforce is forecast to decline over the coming years, as drivers are retiring at a faster rate than new ones are being recruited. The DfT said a consultation on lowering the minimum age for drivers – carried out last year by the Conservative government – received 'overwhelming support from across the industry'. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'We're taking bold action to improve train services and unlock thousands of jobs. 'We're committed to getting the economy moving and a big part of that is getting young people into the workforce, putting them on track for a skilled and fulfilling career which will boost growth across the country and help deliver our Plan for Change. 'We're future-proofing our railways against delays and cancellations caused by a shortage of drivers, ensuring that we can provide reliable, passenger-focused train journeys under Great British Railways (GBR) for decades to come.' The Government plans to establish GBR as a new public sector body which will oversee rail infrastructure management and train operation. Mick Whelan, general secretary of train drivers' union Aslef, said: 'At the moment, young people who want to become train drivers leave school or college at 18, get other jobs, and we miss out as an industry as they don't wait around until they turn 20 to find a career.' He added that the new policy will 'increase diversity in the driver's cab' as well as encouraging more young people to take on the role. Among other nations that have lowered the age for train drivers are France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, according to the DfT. Transport for London opened up its train driver apprenticeships on the Underground to 18-year-olds in 2007. Training to become a driver of mainline trains generally takes between one and two years. The DfT said there are several steps before the minimum age can be lowered. This includes the industry developing plans to integrate younger employees, and amending existing laws. Assessment and qualification standards will be unchanged. Industry body the Rail Safety and Standards Board said its research 'determined that 18-year-olds are capable of safely becoming train drivers'.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
Hull Trains staff continue strike in dispute over sacking of driver
Drivers at Hull Trains are continuing to strike over Easter in a long-running dispute over the sacking of a colleague. Members of Aslef walked out on Good Friday and will continue striking until Tuesday morning, warning that services will be disrupted. The union says the driver was unfairly sacked after raising a safety issue at a meeting, which the company disputes. Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef said: 'The company's failure to act responsibly has enormous implications not just for rail workers and passengers at Hull Trains but for staff and passengers right across the wider rail network. 'This is a moral issue because we have a culture on the railway designed to keep everyone safe. Anyone who works on the railway should be able to report a safety concern without fearing they will be penalised, punished or lose their livelihood. The company has behaved deplorably.' A spokesperson for Hull Trains said: 'The safety of our customers and colleagues remains our number one priority. 'Aslef have declined two recent offers that we have made for constructive talks and Hull Trains remains open to dialogue.' The company said on Friday there were minor alterations to its timetable, with most services operating as planned. Hull Trains previously said it followed highly regulated industry standard agreements and procedures for safety. The company operates services between Hull and London King's Cross, with stops at stations including Selby, Doncaster, Retford and Grantham.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
Hull Trains staff continue strike in dispute over sacking of driver
Drivers at Hull Trains are continuing to strike over Easter in a long-running dispute over the sacking of a colleague. Members of Aslef walked out on Good Friday and will continue striking until Tuesday morning, warning that services will be disrupted. The union says the driver was unfairly sacked after raising a safety issue at a meeting, which the company disputes. Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef said: 'The company's failure to act responsibly has enormous implications not just for rail workers and passengers at Hull Trains but for staff and passengers right across the wider rail network. 'This is a moral issue because we have a culture on the railway designed to keep everyone safe. Anyone who works on the railway should be able to report a safety concern without fearing they will be penalised, punished or lose their livelihood. The company has behaved deplorably.' A spokesperson for Hull Trains said: 'The safety of our customers and colleagues remains our number one priority. 'Aslef have declined two recent offers that we have made for constructive talks and Hull Trains remains open to dialogue.' The company said on Friday there were minor alterations to its timetable, with most services operating as planned. Hull Trains previously said it followed highly regulated industry standard agreements and procedures for safety. The company operates services between Hull and London King's Cross, with stops at stations including Selby, Doncaster, Retford and Grantham. Sign in to access your portfolio
