The prepare drivers’ union and the federal government are hopeful a deal may be struck to deliver an finish the long-running strike motion, the BBC understands, as talks over pay happen on Wednesday.
The assembly between representatives from Aslef and the Division for Transport will purpose to resolve the pay dispute between drivers and prepare corporations in England.
A breakthrough would herald the tip of commercial motion which has spanned greater than two years and noticed drivers stage 18 strikes and participate in a number of extra time bans, resulting in cancelled providers.
Beneath the brand new Labour authorities, senior officers started direct pay talks with Aslef bosses final month.
Industrial motion has continued since Aslef final rejected a pay supply again in April 2023. Extra just lately the union’s tactic has been to unfold stroll outs over a number of days, with completely different operators affected on every day.
The bundle included successive pay rises of 4%, which the Rail Supply Group, which represents prepare corporations, mentioned would deliver the typical annual pay for a driver to £65,000.
Nonetheless, a big level of competition, was the circumstances connected.
Prepare corporations and the Conservative authorities argued that modifications to methods of working, for instance to coaching and rosters, have been essential to make the railway perform extra reliably and get monetary savings.
They claimed hard-pressed taxpayers are having to contribute tens of millions every week to maintain providers working.
Nonetheless, Aslef argued drivers have been being requested to sacrifice an excessive amount of in trade for too low a wage rise.
The dispute was at a standstill for a yr, earlier than indicators of progress in Could. However the common election was referred to as earlier than there could possibly be a decision.
Beneath the earlier authorities, negotiations have been performed by the Rail Supply Group, however ministers have needed to approve any pay supply although, as the federal government in impact took management of the railway in the course of the Covid pandemic.
When the Labour authorities was elected in July, transport secretary Louise Haigh mentioned she was “dedicated to resetting industrial relations”.
The Rail Supply Group has since been faraway from negotiations, with Division for Transport officers main talks as an alternative in July.
