COMMUTERS are set to face disruption on their journeys as train drivers strike in a long-running pay dispute.

Members of Aslef at 16 train operators, including c2c, will stage three one-day strikes between April 5 and 8 as well as an overtime ban from Thursday April 4 to Saturday April 6, and from Monday April 8 to Tuesday April 9, which may lead to short-notice cancellations.

Revised timetables for the strikes have been drawn up and passengers are being advised to check before they travel.

The c2c will be worst affected on Monday, April 8, as no trains will be running on the c2c route. This will coincide with industrial action on TfL lines.

Here is how the c2c service is affected by strike action starting this week:

Thursday, April 4

  • Reduced service on all lines.
  • First trains unaffected.
  • Engineering works between Southend Central and Shoeburyness after 11.55pm.

Friday, April 5

  • Reduced service on all lines.
  • First and last trains unaffected.

Saturday, April 6

  • Reduced service on all lines.
  • Engineering works on Basildon and Ockendon lines.

Sunday, April 7

  • Engineering works on Basildon and Ockendon lines.

Monday, April 8

  • No c2c trains on the c2c route.
  • Industrial action on TfL lines.

Tuesday, April 9

  • Reduced service on all lines.
  • First and last trains unaffected.

Wednesday, April 10

  • Early morning services may be affected

Aslef has staged a series of strikes since the dispute started 20 months ago, arguing that drivers have not had a pay rise for years, despite many working through the pandemic.

Rob Mullen, c2c managing director, said: “I’m really disappointed that an agreement with ASLEF hasn’t been reached. The impact of this ongoing action is significant for our customers and colleagues.

“I’m hopeful that further meetings with the unions are productive and see progress made toward concluding this challenging time for the railway.”