Rail union makes 'positive' announcement after MONTHS of chaos on TransPennine Express

Rail passengers in Manchester and the North have been given a boost following a major announcement by the train drivers' union. Aslef has today (June 15) ended its ban on overtime working for members employed by TransPennine Express (TPE).

The union says it implemented the ban in response to proposed changes to drivers' terms and conditions, which it described as a 'land grab'. It also claimed TPE was previously attempting to blame workers for 'the company's failure to recruit a sufficient number of drivers'.

Today's announcement comes after the TPE franchise was handed over from FirstGroup to the Government's Operator of Last Resort. With the service now in public control, Aslef says talks have reopened between the new operator and the union, leading to the decision to restore overtime working.

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Mick Whelan, Aslef general secretary, said: "Aslef members have always been prepared to work with the company and agree rest-day working to facilitate the recruitment and training of new drivers. It was regrettable that we had to take the action to ban overtime working, as this kind of action is always a last resort.

"The opportunity to resolve the issue through the Operator of Last Resort has been welcome. We came to the table in good faith and, following productive negotiations this week, we are able to end the overtime ban.

"I hope that we will be able to continue in the spirit of collaboration and maintain positive industrial relations with the operator going forward." The Department for Transport (DfT) decided to act on TPE following months of chaos affecting passengers heading to and from Manchester.

According to the Office of Rail and Road, the