Train strikes: How will you be affected?

Rail passengers are being warned of major disruption as train drivers launch new strikes over pay and working conditions.

Train drivers at 16 companies will take part in rolling one-day walk outs between Friday and Monday.

London Underground drivers will also strike on Monday.

Passengers are advised to check before they travel, with the action likely to lead to cancellations, delays and no services in some areas on strike days.

Train drivers who are members of the Aslef union are on strike for 24 hours from midnight on these dates, at these firms:

Aslef members will also refuse to work on rest days from Thursday 4 to Saturday 6 April and from Monday 8 to Tuesday 9 April. This is also likely to cause delays and cancellations.

For up-to-date information about whether services are running, check the National Rail website.

Tube passengers will also face major disruption to services during two upcoming 24-hour strikes by drivers, Transport for London (TfL) has warned.

TfL said there would be little to no service on 8 April as Aslef members walk out over terms and conditions. They will also strike on 4 May.

Rail passengers with advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train they are booked on is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled due to strikes.

If passengers have a return ticket they may also be entitled to a fee-free refund if any part of the journey is cancelled.

Season ticket holders (flexi, monthly or longer) who cannot travel, can claim 100% compensation for strike dates through the Delay Repay scheme.

Aslef is seeking better pay for its members and says drivers are being asked to sacrifice working conditions in exchange for a wage increase.

In April 2023, it rejected an offer which would have seen a 4% pay rise two years in a row. There have been no formal talks since.

Train operators say ways of working need to change for wages to rise, because of financial challenges and fairness to taxpayers.

The Department for Transport says the union needs to do the "right thing" and give members a vote.

Unions in disputes need to re-ballot members every six months to see if they want to continue with industrial action.

Currently, unions are obliged to give at least 14 days' notice of any strike action.

In November last year, RMT members, including guards and ticket office staff, voted to accept a pay offer. This included a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022-23 and job security guarantees.

Their acceptance means they will no longer be involved in industrial action until at least the spring.

Talks over future pay deals and working practices will continue.

A new law means train companies can require enough staff to work on strike days to run 40% of services.

The Department for Transport said it expects employers to use minimum service levels "if appropriate to do so, and to deliver the best possible service".

However, industry insiders told the BBC the rules were complicated to put in place. One source said it meant co-ordinating a reduced timetable with other operators in a short space of time.

Unions strongly oppose it.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says median pay for "train and tram drivers" is just under £59,000.

Train companies and the government say the offer rejected by Aslef would take average train driver pay to £65,000.

The average salary of rail workers in 2022 was £45,919, according to the ONS.

If drivers are excluded (because they tend to be members of the Aslef union, not RMT) its estimate is £39,518. However, the RMT union said that figure was too high because it does not include rail cleaning staff.

Will you be affected by the strikes? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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