TRAINS across Cumbria were cancelled on Friday as train drivers held the second of their two strike days this week.

Drivers in the ASLEF union have been picketing outside Carlisle station on both strike days and morale continues to be high, according to members.

Network Rail warned of “significantly reduced” services on Friday and knock-on disruption on Saturday, with passengers advised to check travel plans ahead of time.

The union has been offered a four per cent pay rise this year with another four per cent backdated rise next year but this most recent offer has been rejected by the union.

Michael Scott, Aslef representative in Carlisle, said: "We want a pay rise in line with inflation, not anymore, we're not greedy - we're just trying to keep up. We haven't had a pay rise in four years.

“We were deemed key workers during the pandemic and now we’re being used as political pawns by the government

“Workers have had below inflation pay rises for 13 years and there’s only so much we can take.

“We were happy not to take a pay rise during the pandemic but all we’re asking for is a reasonable pay rise to help deal with the rise in the cost-of-living.

“The main reason why we’re still on strike is that the government is blocking negotiations for political gain – it’s disgusting.”

This week represents the first time that ASLEF has taken two strike days in a row, and it is believed that there is more action to come if no further progress is made in pay negotiations.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Passengers have borne the brunt of damaging strikes for far too long, so it’s incredibly disappointing Aslef outright rejected the offer made by the RDG last month, choosing to go on strike instead.

“The Government continues to play its part in facilitating reasonable conversations between unions and industry and we urge Aslef to play their part too by helping bring this dispute to an end.”

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