The company runs direct services between Hull and London Kings Cross
Hull Train drivers in the ASLEF union are striking on Saturday and Sunday this weekend (December 6 and 7). So far, the train company has not reported any disruption or cancellations of its journeys between Hull and London Kings Cross.
This weekend’s strikes are the latest in a longstanding row between the union and Hull Trains over the dismissal of a train driver. The union claims the driver was unjustly sacked after voicing a safety concern, which the company denies.
ASLEF say their driver member was dismissed after allegedly telling a manager he ‘nearly fell asleep’ at the controls. They claim the driver had a clean safety record, but flagged concerns about fatigue in a discussion about long hours.
However, Hull Live understands that Hull Trains has safety protocols in which drivers must report incidents of fatigue, and the unnamed driver had failed to do so on more than one occasion. As a result, the firm believed he posed an unacceptable safety risk and was justified in its decision to dismiss the driver.
In a letter sent to Hull Trains staff, seen by Hull Live the company claimed “disclosures made by this driver, especially against a backdrop of previous similar issues where full support and feedback was given, presented us with a safety risk that we could not ignore”.
In a previous statement, Hull Trains said safety was its top priority. It stood by its decision to dismiss the driver.
A spokesperson for the company said: “Our position remains unchanged. The safety concern claimed by ASLEF relates to the individual involved in this dispute, but it would be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case.
“We always put safety first for both our customers and colleagues. The action taken in this matter is in line with upholding these standards.”
ASLEF has called 75 days of strike action at Hull Trains. The union has a renewed mandate for strike action into next year.
Nigel Roebuck, ASLEF’s full-time organiser in the north-east of England, and lead officer with Hull Trains, said: ‘Yet again our members at Hull Trains are back out on the picket lines in this lengthy dispute with the company.
‘We have had a series of informal talks to try and find a resolution but, once again, we find ourselves in a stalemate,” he claimed.
‘We are clear; we expect Hull Trains to understand that this gung-ho mentality will not solve the issue and alleviate the fear of repercussions on any member of staff who flags up problems as they have been encouraged to do. Any end to this dispute must be a just and fair outcome for our member and for processes accepted by the other companies and stakeholders in our industry.”
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