Train strikes to hit start and end date of Tory conference - but it's not political, says Aslef
Train drivers are striking on the start and end dates of the Conservative Party conference for industrial, not political, reasons, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan has said.
Members of the drivers’ union Aslef at 16 train operators in England are on strike on Saturday, and then again on Wednesday, coinciding with the start and end of the annual autumn Tory conference in Manchester.
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Hide AdTransport Secretary Mark Harper told Sky News drivers were taking part in a “political strike” aimed at disrupting the conference.
Mr Whelan joined rail workers on a picket line at London Euston station on Saturday morning, alongside a cardboard model of Mr Harper mocked up as the main character from the Where’s Wally? children’s books.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Whelan said: “We’ve targeted the Tory Party conference, the start date and the finish date of it, not for political reasons but for industrial reasons.
“To say to Mr Harper: we haven’t seen you since last December.
“Where’s Harper? Where’s Wally? That’s the theme today.”
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Hide AdIn a statement from the union, Mr Whelan added: “Those who have, falsely, accused us of targeting events in the past, to hide their own shortcomings, and bad faith, have inspired us to take action on these days (during the Tory Party conference).”
He said Aslef members are “in it for the long haul” and that industrial action “isn’t about a general secretary or a union executive committee”.
“It’s about our members,” Mr Whelan said.
“We will keep on striking to make the voice of our members heard.”
Aslef also staged strikes disrupting travel to the the Tory Party conference last year.