Why do train drivers strike so much?

Why are rail workers striking? Unions say they want a pay offer reflecting the rising cost of living. But the rail industry is under pressure to save money, after the pandemic left a hole in its finances. The industry says changes to ways of working need to be agreed in order for pay to go up.



People Also Ask

Why are rail workers striking? Unions say they want a pay offer reflecting the rising cost of living. But the rail industry is under pressure to save money, after the pandemic left a hole in its finances. The industry says changes to ways of working need to be agreed in order for pay to go up.

MORE DETAILS

RMT (the Rail, Maritime and Transport union) and ASLEF (The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen) members are striking in an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.

MORE DETAILS

The rail unions are headed toward a strike over pay and ongoing grievances from members that the working conditions are grueling, and not conducive to a life off the job.

MORE DETAILS

After campaigning as the most pro-union presidential candidate in history, Biden signed into law a measure that makes a rail strike illegal.

MORE DETAILS

As of Sep 26, 2023, the average hourly pay for a Train Driver in the United States is $17.76 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $28.61 and as low as $8.65, the majority of Train Driver wages currently range between $14.18 (25th percentile) to $19.23 (75th percentile) across the United States.

MORE DETAILS

While the US was a passenger train pioneer in the 19th century, after WWII, railways began to decline. The auto industry was booming, and Americans bought cars and houses in suburbs without rail connections. Highways (as well as aviation) became the focus of infrastructure spending, at the expense of rail.

MORE DETAILS

Complying with professional and federal rules and regulations relating to train operation and safety. Monitoring the speed, air pressure and other operational measurements of the train. Using mechanical controls such as throttles and air brakes to control the speed and motion of the train.

MORE DETAILS

A potential strike could lead to $2 billion a day in lost economic output, according to the Association of American Railroads, which lobbies on behalf of rail companies. Freight railroads are responsible for carrying 40% of the nation's long-haul freight and a work stoppage could jeopardize these shipments.

MORE DETAILS

With regular scheduled train services meaning a planned timetable, passenger Train Drivers work reasonably predictable shift patterns. On average, most operators work to a 35 hour week. Although some work more. A 35 hour week which is generally averaged out over the whole year, shift cycle or similar.

MORE DETAILS

In addition to the disruption on strike days, trains on adjacent days may be affected. Trains on these days are also likely to be extremely busy due to passengers moving their journeys to avoid industrial action.

MORE DETAILS

Railway services, airport staff, train drivers, universities, and junior doctors are all set to go on strike during the month of September. The set of strikes comes shortly after RMT and ASLEF train strikes, junior doctors and airport ground workers went on strike in August.

MORE DETAILS

The railroads, which haul about 40% of the nation's freight each year, estimated that a rail strike would cost the economy $2bn a day in a report issued earlier this fall.

MORE DETAILS

Supply Squeezes If railroad workers went on strike, drayage freight truckers would lack the necessary equipment to handle the supply capacity of a freight train. With less space to transport goods via trucks, it would take longer to move the same amount of product.

MORE DETAILS

Under the law that controls rail labor, the unions can go back out on strike after Congress returns to session for five days.

MORE DETAILS