May 2, 2012 3.17 pm This story is over 141 months old

Lincoln train drivers to strike again Thursday

Strike action: Lincoln train drivers working for East Midlands Trains were out in force yesterday and will strike again on Thursday.

Further strike action is expected on Thursday after Lincoln train drivers picketed the train station on Tuesday in a bid to reverse changes to their pensions.

Members of the ASLEF union working for East Midlands Trains said they feel that their pension contributions should not be reduced.

Services affected by their strike and replaced by buses on Tuesday included Lincoln trains to Nottingham, Sleaford, Grimsby and Skegness.

Lincoln Branch Secretary Richard Doren said: “It was reassuring that members of the public were giving us the thumbs up and motorists sounding their horns in support of our action.

“We are obviously concerned about the travelling public being disrupted during our industrial action but this is down to East Midlands Trains and not ASLEF.

“Our general secretary Mick Whelan said that the union have tried negotiating and resolving this for the best part of a year. Why hasn’t East Midlands Trains?”

While on strike, members were visited by local election candidates from TUSC.

Continued strike and disruptions

Strikes will also be taking place on Lincoln lines on May 3, 8, 10, 15 and 17.

Replacement services will be put on for travellers and a number of other service operators will accept East Midlands tickets.

People can also travel on the day before or after the ticket date, or request a full refund.

May 3 trains affected will be the Lincoln to Sleaford, Nottingham to Lincoln, Lincoln to Grimsby and Lincoln to Skegness.

It is not known at present which routes will be affected on future strike dates.

David Horne, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, said: “Pension contributions made by our employees will reduce from July this year.

“This is good news for our staff and will have no impact on their pension benefits.

“It makes ASLEF’s stance difficult to understand and we are surprised that our train drivers are planning to take industrial action over this matter.

“Industrial action would mean employees unnecessarily being even more out of pocket.

“Our offer of further talks remains open to ASLEF.”

Photo: ASLEF Lincoln