London Overground strike action suspended

Strike action by London Overground train drivers due to take place on 26 November has been suspended.

Train drivers’ union Aslef said on Thursday that this follows a pay offer made to members this week by the company, which will now be put to a vote. Reports suggest drivers have been offered a 5% pay increase.

Mick Whelan, General Secretary, said: "This offer from London Overground means we have now successfully negotiated or been offered a pay deal by every operating company except those under contract with the Department for Transport.

"It’s clearer than ever that the DfT is preventing its contracted companies from taking part in free negotiation, and preventing them from making a fair pay offer to our members. It’s time for the Transport Secretary to see sense, stop these ideological restrictions, and allow our employers to negotiate with us properly.

"The process of industrial negotiation, and any offers, is not ‘one size fits all’ and, until they signed these dodgy deals with the DfT, we have had very productive industrial relationships with the train operating companies which mean we can reach agreements by negotiation."

Aslef members will still be walking out at 11 other companies on Saturday 26 November as previously announced. These include Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia and London North Eastern Railway, among others.