ALL key workers must be “recognised for their sacrifices” during the Covid-19 pandemic, train drivers without a pay rise in four years demanded today as they downed tools once again in an increasingly bitter dispute.

Some 15 train operators across England were hit with massive strikes called by train drivers’ union Aslef, crippling services and leaving some areas without any services at all.

The latest walkouts in the long-running dispute, which will also see RMT members walkout across 14 companies on Saturday, came as Aslef head Mick Whelan revealed that Tory ministers have not met union officials since early January.

The Department for Transport has repeatedly claimed to be an independent mediator between unions and employer-body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), despite bosses having their negotiating remit dictated to them by ministers.

Mr Whelan, who joined picket lines in Manchester and Liverpool, slammed the latest below-inflation wage offer of 8 per cent over two years as “risible and miserable” and warned that drivers are prepared to continue industrial action for as long as it takes.

“The government seems to think they can starve us back to work, or that we will give up, but that isn’t going to happen,” he said.

“We are in this for the long haul and there will be more strikes.” The next Aslef walkouts are due on May 31 and June 3, the day of the men’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

Speaking from a picket line at central London’s Paddington station, Great Western Railway worker Narinder Rai said: “We haven’t had a pay rise for more than three years, some rail companies haven’t had a pay rise for more than four years.

“We made a huge sacrifice during the pandemic — as key workers we feel like we deserve an increase now.

“The British public are with all workers. We’re all on strike together, the doctors, nurses, bus drivers, train drivers and the general rail industry. We just want to be recognised for our sacrifice.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch predicted solid support for Saturday’s walkout, which follows an overwhelming vote to renew the union’s six-month strike mandate last week.

He said: “Throughout this dispute the government has tied the hands of the railway companies and prevented them offering a fair deal.

“We are striking so that the employers and government can see the huge anger among rail workers is very real and they need to recognise that fact, face reality and make improved proposals.

“We are calling for the rail companies to get around the table with RMT and negotiate in good faith for a better deal.”

Sheffield Trade Union Council’s Martin Mayer offered his solidarity to striking staff and pinned the blame for any disruption on Downing Street. 

“After months of strikes and no pay rise for four years, the offers currently on the table are still way below inflation, meaning it’s another real-terms pay cut,” he stressed.

Passengers are being urged to check before they travel on Saturday. Merseyrail is not involved and is expected to run a normal service in the build up to tonight’s 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, while Scotland and Wales will only be impacted on cross-border services.

The RDG said it was “sad” that the latest offer was rejected, while Rail Minister and East Sussex MP Huw Merriman urged unions to put it to a formal ballot of members.

Unions are forced to conduct such business via slower and more expensive postal ballots, while Tory members were able to choose Boris Johnson’s successor as prime minister last summer in an online ballot.