Train drivers at Hull Trains have begun a fresh 48-hour strike in a protracted dispute over the sacking of a colleague who reported suffering from fatigue while operating high-speed passenger services.
The Core of the Dispute: Fatigue and Dismissal
The industrial action centres on the dismissal of an unnamed driver. The union Aslef states the driver was unfairly dismissed after raising concerns about 'fatigue matters' at a company safety meeting. He mentioned experiencing these issues on more than one occasion while operating a 125mph service.
However, Hull Trains maintains the dismissal was a necessary response to a serious safety issue. The company alleges the driver admitted to a manager that he had fallen asleep at the controls, mentioning it casually after the event. A letter to staff revealed the firm felt the disclosures, against a backdrop of previous similar issues, presented a safety risk it "could not ignore".
Conflicting Narratives and Failed Talks
Aslef has vigorously defended the driver, arguing due process was not followed. The union's outgoing General Secretary, Mick Whelan, stated the driver had a "completely clean safety record" and was sacked for "doing nothing wrong". The union's organiser in the north east, Nigel Roebuck, criticised the company for claiming to be in dialogue when, he says, they were not.
Hull Trains counters that it has strict fatigue reporting procedures which the driver failed to follow properly. The company's internal letter indicated that, despite previous support and guidance on similar fatigue matters, they could no longer be confident the driver would report safety issues appropriately. The firm says it has recently made an offer following constructive talks with Aslef to resolve the matter.
Ongoing Industrial Action and Impact
This latest 48-hour walkout follows months of industrial action, including an eight-week strike by drivers in March. The dispute shows no immediate signs of resolution, with Aslef describing the situation as a "stalemate". Despite the strikes, a Hull Trains spokesperson confirmed the company has been operating a full timetable for months and intended to do so again during this period of action.
The case highlights the sensitive and critical issue of fatigue management on the railways, pitting union-backed worker protections against a train operator's stringent safety protocols.
