Train union threatens four day strike (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Train union threatens four day strike

6:13pm Wednesday 19th March 2008 in News By Dan Menhinnitt

A union representing South West Trains' (SWT) drivers has threatened strike action in a dispute over pay.

The rail operator, one of the country's biggest, runs services through much of south-west London including London Waterloo and Clapham Junction.

Train drivers' union Aslef has threatened to stage a four-day strike from March 31 to April 3 if pay talks fail.

SWT has offered staff a 4.5 per cent pay which they say would give a driver working in London a basic salary of £40,447 for a 37-hour week.

Stewart Palmer, SWT's managing director, said: "We regret the significant disruption this will cause to our passengers and we reassure them that we will do everything we can to avoid this strike taking place.

"We are very disappointed that ASLEF has taken this decision as we believe that this is a very good offer in the current economic climate."

“We regret the significant disruption this will cause to our passengers and we reassure them that we will do everything we can to avoid this strike taking place."

Stewart Palmer

A statement on Aslef's website said: "The union will make a statement when the talks are concluded. It regrets that the company did not choose to do the same thing."