08-07-2025
Train strike over ‘sleeping driver' to continue beyond Christmas
Train drivers who have been striking in support of a sacked colleague who fell asleep at the controls may continue until next year.
Strikers at Hull Trains have been walking out for the past six months to demand the reinstatement of a colleague who nodded off while at the controls of a 125mph service.
Union representatives have since claimed there is 'no evidence' of this happening, although a letter sent to Hull Trains staff by its bosses said the driver had experienced 'fatigue matters' more than once.
Unions involved in long-running disputes must by law reballot their members every six months to see if they want to continue walking out.
'This is a moral issue'
Mick Whelan, the general secretary of Aslef, said the union would 'keep going' until the driver was reinstated.
Mr Whelan said that Hull Trains had 'behaved deplorably', adding: '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.'
