Hull Trains drivers plan 56-day strike over colleague's sacking

Train drivers from Hull Trains are set to strike for eight weeks from March 31 to May 24, following the alleged unfair dismissal of a colleague who raised safety concerns about workload. The union, Aslef, claims that the driver, with over 20 years of experience and a clean safety record, was penalized for speaking up during a meeting about fatigue, a claim that Hull Trains denies. Aslef's general secretary, Mick Whelan, emphasized the moral implications of the company's actions, stating that railway workers should be able to report safety issues without fear of retribution. The strikes are expected to cause significant disruptions on the East Coast main line, potentially canceling most, if not all, services. Hull Trains has expressed disappointment over the strike announcement and stated that safety remains their top priority while reviewing the potential impacts on services. This escalation follows previous limited strike actions that did not significantly disrupt operations.