UK train strike misery as Rishi Sunak tries to avert future industrial action

Key Heathrow and Gatwick services not running

Passengers stand outside the locked gates at the entrance to Southfields underground station in south London waiting for the first train of the day. PA

Rail strikes will cripple the UK network for the travelling public on Thursday as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak looks at new legislation to discourage industrial action in key sectors.

Two major rail unions are in disputes over pay, leaving few if any trains running on strike days.

Industrial action is also being taken by nurses, ambulance crew, airport staff and bus drivers amid a cost-of living crisis in which inflation topped 10 per cent but pay offers largely stayed well below that level.

On Thursday, it is the train drivers from the Aslef union walking out. On Friday and Saturday, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union resumes its industrial action.

For travellers, it has cut train services by up to 80 per cent.

Mr Sunak is poised to announce as early as Thursday his plans for new legislation to curb strikes, The Times reported late on Wednesday.

He wants legislation that enforces "minimum service levels" in six sectors, including health, rail, and border security, and that cover many of the high-profile strikes taking place this winter.

A closed Birmingham Moor Street station during a strike by train drivers from the Aslef union, in a dispute over jobs and pensions. PA

Southeastern trains sit in sidings at Ashford station in Kent, during a strike by train drivers. PA

An Aslef picket line at Birmingham Moor Street station. PA

Passengers outside the locked gates of Southfields London Underground station, waiting for the first train of the day. PA

Empty platforms in Euston station, London. PA

A deserted Paddington station in London, during a strike by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union over jobs and pensions. PA

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, joins union members on the picket line outside London's Euston station. Strikes have been taking place since last summer. PA

Passengers in an almost deserted Euston station during morning rush hour in London. PA

A sign warning of industrial action at Barnham train station in West Sussex, southern England PA

Passengers check the departure boards at Euston station. Getty Images

An empty platform at Eustion station in London. Bloomberg

A lone train leaves Ashford station in Kent, where a reduced timetable is in operation. PA

Signs with information on the strikes are lined up at Waterloo station in London. PA

Members of the RMT on a picket line outside London Euston station. Bloomberg

His plan would require a proportion of union members to continue working to retain a "minimum level" of service.

“This legislation will remove the legal immunity for strikes where unions fail to implement a minimum level of service,” a government source told The Times.

"The strikes will be illegal. Ultimately, people could be fired for breach of contract."

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan warned it was "inevitable" that further strikes would be held unless there was a breakthrough to the long-running dispute.

Mr Whelan said strikes could escalate, saying train drivers wanted to go "harder and faster" after years of not receiving a pay rise.

"The situation is getting worse and my members now want to go harder and faster because of the lack of progress,” he said.

"We are in a weird world where the government will do anything to keep private companies in the industry. It is inevitable that more strikes will be held and probably escalate.

"The train companies say their hands have been tied by the government, while the government — which does not employ us — says it's up to the companies to negotiate with us.

"We are always happy to negotiate, we never refuse to sit down at the table and talk, but these companies have offered us nothing, and that is unacceptable."

Among the operators which will run no trains all day on Thursday are Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Northern, Southern, Southeastern, Thameslink and TransPennine Express.

Rail links to the UK's two busiest airports will be cut, with Gatwick Express and Heathrow Express shutting down.

Areas where trains will run on Thursday include: Wales; the Central Belt, Fife and the Borders of Scotland; and parts of the South Western Railway network.

Services will also operate on London Overground and the Elizabeth line.

About 20 per cent of normal services will run, according to the Rail Delivery Group.

Companies affected by the strike are Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Great Western Railway; Greater Anglia; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; London North Eastern Railway; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway (depot drivers only); SWR Island Line; TransPennine Express; and West Midlands Trains.

Winter strikes in Britain - in pictures

Protesters march through Trafalgar Square, towards Downing Street, London, during a nurses' strike. PA

A rally in support of striking Amazon workers outside the retailer's warehouse in Coventry. Reuters

Members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy on the picket line outside London's St Thomas' Hospital as they strike for the first time. PA

Teachers gather at The Mound in central Edinburgh to highlight the need for a fair pay deal for Scotland's teachers as they continue to take strike action. PA

Paramedic Gabriel McComish, on the picket line outside the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, as thousands of health and social care workers in Northern Ireland take part in strike action. PA

Ambulance workers on the picket line outside London Ambulance Service NHS Trust control room in Waterloo, London. PA

Ambulance workers gather at a picket line in Waterloo, London. AFP

Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland teaching union join a rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. PA

Striking ambulance workers outside the NHS London Ambulance Service HQ in London. Reuters

Passengers at a busy King's Cross station in London after a strike by RMT union members. PA

Driving examiners on a PCS picket line outside Goodmayes Driving Test Centre in London. EPA

Nurses and supporters march towards Downing Street after a day of strike action in London. Getty Images

Travellers waiting for Euston station to open in London. Getty Images

A warning sign at Heathrow Airport in London. Bloomberg

A packed concourse at London Euston station on Christmas Eve. Getty Images

Striking Border Force workers picket at Gatwick Airport. EPA

Armed forces personnel drive an ambulance as paramedics, ambulance technicians and call handlers strike in England and Wales. PA

A notice about strike action outside Mount Pleasant Mail Centre in Farringdon, as Royal Mail workers stage strikes. PA

Ambulance workers and supporters gather outside Brent Ambulance Station in London. Getty Images

Members of the Fire and Rescue Service join demonstrators on a picket line at Manchester Ambulance Station. Getty Images

Ambulances outside the West Midlands Ambulance Service headquarters in Coventry during a strike. PA