Train strike dates 2023: When are the next planned walkouts?
23 February 2023, 17:04 | Updated: 8 March 2023, 13:10
Are trains on strike this month? As National Rail cancel their walkouts what does this mean for the rest of travel? Here's the latest on the train strikes for March 2023.
Trade unions have been calling for better pay and working conditions for a number of industries including buses, ambulances and Royal Mail, but some of the biggest strike action has come from rail workers.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) carried out multiple industrial walkouts in 2022 and early 2023, including a number of dates in the lead up to Christmas, as well as multiple days in January and February causing yet more travel disruption.
With no pay deal currently accepted, negotiations are continuing as members fight for a pay rise in line with the current rate of inflation and cost of living.
And as a result, RMT has cancelled National Rail's current strike dates as they re enter pay talk deals.
Read more: Teacher strike dates: Dates and whether schools will close
Read more: Is the London Underground going on strike?
So when are the next rail strike dates? And what's the latest in the negotiations? Here's the dates you need to know for March as lines including the c2c, Greater Anglia and SouthEastern trains are set to be affected.
When are the next rail strikes?
Train drivers union Aslef carried out multiple strike days in February and they, along with RMT, have now confirmed their action will continue into March and April. Further strikes are on:
Thursday 16th March
Saturday 18th March
Thursday 30th March
Saturday 1st April
However, National Rail, which looks after train services including Great Anglia, c2c, East Midlands Railway and more have cancelled their strike action for March 16 for now as they engaged in train talks.
14 train lines will still be going ahead with the strikes so be sure to check your services before travel.
Which train lines will be affected on rail strike days?
Excluding March 16th, action will affect passengers who use the following services:
- Avanti West Coast
- Chiltern Railways
- CrossCountry
- East Midlands Railway
- Great Western Railway
- Greater Anglia
- GTR Great Northern Thameslink
- London North Eastern Railway
- Northern Trains
- Southeastern
- Southern/Gatwick Express
- South Western Railway
- SWR Island Line
- TransPennine Express
- West Midlands Trains
Andrew Marr says the politics of the proposed anti-strike legislation are 'unpredictable'
What's the latest on the RMT pay negotiations?
The newest round of strike dates come after RMT accused employers of not putting out any new offers - Mick Lynch said: "Rail employers are not being given a fresh mandate by the Government to offer our members a new deal on pay, conditions and job security.
“Therefore, our members will now take sustained and targeted industrial action over the next few months."
However, March 16th cancellation shows a promising turn of events after RMT received a new pay offer which will now be presented to staff.
If they reject the new offer, strike action will continue.
