Train drivers on the West Coast Main Line, the key Birmingham to London rail route, are to be balloted on strike action in a dispute over pay. Members of the Aslef union working for Avanti West Coast will vote in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action, including strikes and action short of a strike.
Services Affected
Avanti West Coast runs services on the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Glasgow Central via Birmingham New Street, and from London Euston to Edinburgh Waverley via Birmingham New Street. The dispute threatens to disrupt services for thousands of passengers traveling between Birmingham, London, and Scotland.
Union’s Position
Aslef general secretary Dave Calfe said: “The company’s failure to make a suitable pay offer for 2026 is not acceptable. That’s why we are balloting our members for strike action and for action short of a strike.” Kevin Lindsay, Aslef’s organiser in Scotland, added: “We believed we had reached agreement with the company but they told us they had to get approval from the Department for Transport (DfT) and that has not been forthcoming. Interference by the DfT in collective bargaining between the company and the union is damaging industrial relations and will make life difficult for passengers. There is still time for the company to make an appropriate pay offer for us to put to members.”
Company’s Response
An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: “We are disappointed with the decision by the Aslef union to ballot their members for industrial action over a pay offer. We remain open to working with Aslef colleagues to resolve this dispute and will continue to try to reach an agreement.”
Impact on Passengers
If strike action goes ahead, passengers on the West Coast Main Line could face significant disruption, including cancellations and delays. The route is a vital link for commuters and leisure travelers between Birmingham, London, and Scotland. The ballot result is expected in the coming weeks, with potential strikes possible later in the year.
