Avanti West Coast drivers to be balloted over strike action in pay dispute

Train drivers on Avanti West Coast are to be balloted for strikes in a dispute over pay.

Members of Aslef will vote in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action.

The company runs services on the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Glasgow Central via Birmingham New Street, and from London Euston to Edinburgh Waverley via Birmingham New Street.

Aslef general secretary Dave Calfe said: “The company’s failure to make a suitable pay offer for 2026 is not acceptable. That’s why we are balloting our members for strike action and for action short of a strike.”

Kevin Lindsay, Aslef’s organiser in Scotland, said: “We believed we had reached agreement with the company but they told us they had to get approval from the Department for Transport (DfT) and that has not been forthcoming.

“Interference by the DfT in collective bargaining between the company and the union is damaging industrial relations and will make life difficult for passengers.

“There is still time for the company to make an appropriate pay offer for us to put to members.”

An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said: “We are disappointed with the decision by the Aslef union to ballot their members for industrial action over a pay offer.

“We remain open to working with Aslef colleagues to resolve this dispute and will continue to try to reach an agreement.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Avanti West Coast have the authority required to reach a deal on 2026/27 pay talks – as other operators have been able to agree. The Department has not been sighted on any proposed pay agreement.

“The news of a ballot being called is deeply disappointing, as we know how frustrating disruption can be for passengers. We expect Avanti West Coast and the union to engage constructively to reach a solution and ensure services can run.”