As you are likely to be aware, industrial action will affect train services on various dates from mid-May to early June 2023. We know how inconvenient this will be for customers, and this briefing is to provide an overview to help with planning journeys. As always, we would be grateful if you could use your networks to ensure this information is shared as widely as possible.

There are three types of industrial action confirmed to be taking place, each with a different impact:

1. ASLEF strike action on Friday 12 May, Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June– On these dates there will be no train service in any location.
2. RMT strike action on Saturday 12 May – On this date, similar to the experience in March 2023, services will be limited across the network, with a post 07:00 start, an early shut down and no service in some locations.
3. ASLEF ban of overtime between Monday 15 May – Saturday 20 May inclusive and Thursday 1 June – On these dates, with the exception of Saturday 20 May, an amended timetable with fewer services will run – more details below.

Trade unions need to provide two weeks’ notice of industrial action, meaning there is the possibility of additional action being confirmed within the range of dates set out above. Should this happen, we will let you know.

As there is considerable variation between days, it will be really important that customers use journey planners such as at www.nationalrail.co.uk or on our websites to plan their journeys. On dates where train services are available, we are recommending that customers plan carefully and expect longer waiting times and busier trains.

The table below shows dates affected by industrial action in the left column and the expected update for journey planners in the right column.