Gatwick Express strike to go ahead

A strike by train drivers on the Gatwick Express will go ahead tomorrow after last ditch talks aimed at resolving a pay dispute broke down today.

Members of the train drivers' union Aslef will walk out for 24 hours, with further stoppages planned next month, including Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Gatwick Express said it would run a "comprehensive" service on strike days, although the number of trains is expected to be cut by about half.

The company said it had offered an above inflation pay rise of 7.5% over two years, which would increase wages to £37,000 before overtime and benefits.

The deal had been improved on three separate occasions during five months of talks, management said.

Managing director David Stretch said: "I share the disappointment of our customers over this industrial action. What makes this worse is that Aslef has included Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve as possible strike dates,
inconveniencing our customers when many of them will be trying to get home to see family and friends.

"However, we shall continue to operate a comprehensive service throughout the industrial action to minimise the disruption and inconvenience caused to our passengers by Aslef's decision to strike."