Rail travellers from Sandbach face a weekend of disruption as another round of rail strikes hits the network. 

Members of ASLEF, the trade union for train drivers, will be on strike today (Friday, May 12th).  

(Image: Deborah Bowyer)

Tomorrow (Saturday, May 13th), members of RMT - the trade union for train crew including drivers, guards, and other on-board staff - will also be on strike, meaning there will be a massively reduced service.  

There are no Northern services running today (Friday) and there are very limited Northern services tomorrow (Saturday). 

The car park at Sandbach station was empty today and posters detailing the industrial action are at Sandbach rail station in Elworth. 

ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan blamed the train operators, "the employers who have forced our hand over this by their intransigence".  

Similarly, a statement on the ASLEF website reads: "We have been negotiating with employers - the train operating companies - for many months on pay. [...]

"Unfortunately a number of companies still have their hands tied by the Department for Transport and aren't able to negotiate a reasonable deal with ASLEF members. 

"We are still prepared to negotiate in good faith but, unfortunately, as we have been unable to come to an agreement, we have had to consider industrial action."

Meanwhile, Saturday's RMT strike will affect 14 operators, meaning services will be very limited for travellers both locally and nationally; for one, many County fans will struggle to get to the game against Salford.

In a statement on RMT's website, general secretary Mick Lynch said: "We are striking so that the employers and government can see the huge anger amongst 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 for rail workers."

The RMT stated that 13 May was chosen because it was the last date allowed under current trade union laws, and denied accusations that this was an attempt to disrupt those travelling to Saturday's Eurovision final in Liverpool.  

Disruption will continue across May and into early June. ASLEF also announced an overtime ban from Monday 15 to Saturday 20 May - as well as Thursday 1 June - which could cause further disruption.   

Strikes will also be called on Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June - this latter date coincides with the FA Cup final where Manchester United will play Manchester City.  

In opposition to the disruption, rail minister Huw Merriman said the average annual salary of a train driver is "just short of £60,000 for a 35 hour base week" and the offer put to Aslef "would take the pay up to £65,000".

Similarly, Mark Harper, secretary of state for transport, said the department had "played our part but Aslef now need to play theirs" by calling off strikes and the overtime ban.

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