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ASLEF train drivers at Northern vote ‘overwhelmingly’ to continue strikes for another six months

This industrial action is separate to ASLEF's long-running dispute with the Government.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 15th February 2024

ASLEF train drivers at Northern have voted “overwhelmingly” to continue taking strike action for another six months.

The union announced the results of the vote yesterday, alongside the dates for a fresh round of strikes and overtime bans – with the next strike set to take place at the start of next month on the Northern network, as well as LNER.

ASLEF members at Northern will take strike action on Friday 1 March for “a failure by the company to adhere to existing agreements”, according to the union, and on top of this, will also take action short of a strike – which is also known as an ‘overtime ban’ – on the network from Thursday 29 February to Saturday 2 March.

Travel disruption is expected all across the North and the rest of the UK during this time – including here in Greater Manchester.

Members of the ASLEF union will stage a series of strikes at the end of this month / Credit: National Rail

This particular industrial action being taken by ASLEF members is separate to what is a very long-running dispute with the Department for Transport (DfT) over pay and working conditions.

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With mandates for industrial action only lasting six months at a time, due to what ASLEF has referred to as the Conservative Government’s “anti-union legislation”, this was what led the union to having to reballot its members.

93.9% of ASELF members at Northern voted ‘yes’ to continuing strike action, with 96.6% also voting ‘yes’ to action short of strike.

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The overall ballot turnout for Northern Trains was 76.7%.

“We are fed up to the back teeth with the bad faith shown, day after day, week after week, and month after month by these two companies,” commented ASLEF’s General Secretary, Mick Whelan, as the ballot votes were released and fresh strike dates confirmed.

‘We always stick to agreements which we make. These companies think they can break agreements – which they freely enter into – whenever it suits them. And they’re wrong.

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“This is a shot across their bows and a sign of things to come.

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“They need to stop what they are doing, start to behave properly and honourably, because their drivers are no longer prepared to be treated like this.”

Featured Image – Northern

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A local employment charity is looking to raise £25,000 for Greater Manchester women this Christmas

Danny Jones Danny Jones Womens employment charity Greater Manchester

The regional arm of a nationwide employment charity that specialises in helping women into the workplace is aiming to raise a minimum of £25,000 for Greater Manchester locals this Christmas.

Smarts Works, an organisation that does crucial work to combat unemployment all over the UK, is ramping up its year-round efforts this festive period – a time that can prove difficult for many – to help women secure jobs and support those that land them in their new roles.

Teaming up with, The Big Give (the leading match-funding programme in the country), the charity hopes to potentially double its target amount to reach what could be a life-changing sum or hundreds if not thousands across the region.

Not only will this crucial funding help support Smart Works in its mission to empower unemployed women, equipping them with the confidence, skills and tools they need to secure employment, but it will also help spread awareness and access surrounding the organisation’s vital services.

Credit: Smart Works (supplied)


Starting from the week commencing on Tuesday, 3 December and running until 10 December, any financial donation Smart Works receives for their Christmas fundraiser will be matched by The Big Give.

This means that should they surpass their £25k target, they could potentially unlock over £50k for their centres here in Manchester and Stockport, with other facilities providing much-needed help all over the North West.

How much they manage to raise by the end of the week, the money will go towards funding tailored coaching sessions, interview preparation new starter support and even supplying applicants with work-
appropriate clothing for women who need it most around the region.

Better than just helping people enter or get back into the working world, Smart Works also supports unemployed women right throughout the process, from making sure they dress for the job they want, receiving coaching to nail the interview and continuing to provide help once they’ve started.

Over two-thirds of women who use the Smart Works service find employment within a month of their
appointment. Last year in Greater Manchester alone, Smart Works helped more than 833 women; nationally into work and the charity aims to support 10,000 women nationwide this year.

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The fundraising page opens from 12pm today (3 December) and will remain open until the same time a week from now, giving us Mancs plenty of chance to make a difference.

Another key area of Smart Works’ most important areas of work is outreach: i.e. actively engaging with townships and villages, referral partners and job fairs to encourage as many referrals as possible, which goes a long way to building stronger community connections.

During the challenging holiday season and with a cost of living crisis still looming large over all of us, the value of initiatives like this in Manchester and the work done by the important employment charity cannot be overstated.

You can do your bit by donating HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Smarts Works Greater Manchester (supplied)

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Gregg Wallace apologises after Downing Streets labels ‘middle-class women’ comments ‘misogynistic’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Gregg Wallace apologises for middle class women comments

Gregg Wallace has issued an official apology as he looks to be in increasing trouble not only over recent reports of his misconduct on set but his subsequent reaction to the allegations and now viral “middle-class women” comments.

The 60-year-old MasterChef presenter and well-known foodie face stepped down from the BBC cooking show last week after a total of 13 people came forward to complain about his ‘sexual’ behaviour over the course of a 17-year period.

Despite having denied an initial accusation from a former female colleague regarding an incident back in 2018, in which insists no comments or actions of a sexual nature were made, a dozen more individuals have now submitted historical complaints to the corporation and a full investigation is underway.

However, in an Instagram story shared on Sunday, Wallace was quick to dismiss the claims made by what he called “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age” – a response which was quickly met with a severe backlash online.

Equally problematic was his suggestion that because he had worked with an estimated 2,000 people during his time on the show the words of “only 13” women were somehow less valid and/or believable.

Having also shared a video thanking all of those supporting him, as well as numerous other stories featuring personal messages from people both on and off the show defending him, he has continued to rebuke those who have put his conduct over the past two decades under a microscope.

That being said, it looks as though the now former TV personality and household name is doubling back after even Downing Street came out to condemn his comments, with a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelling the response video “completely inappropriate and misogynistic.”

Having since deleted a number of his IG stories and now shared a follow-up video to his initial reply, telling his followers: “I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.”

He said that he was not in a “good head space” when he posted the response and has been dealing with a lot of stress since the story broke, adding, “I felt very alone.” You can see the clip down below.

As you see, the ex-green grocer and restaurant owner said he intends to step away from the story for now and let the in-house investigation move forward without interruption.

Both the BBC and production company, Banijay UK – who make MasterChef and the various spin-off series on which Gregg Wallace has served as a co-host – are currently conducting an internal review of those complaints made by former contestants and staff, including a BBC news anchor.

While none of the allegations are yet to be proved, one former male contestant reportedly told Sky News that the current allegations are just the “tip of the iceberg“, claiming he witnessed a “toxic environment” and was so “horrified” he considered quitting the show on his first day.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — BBC/Gregg Wallace (screenshots via Instagram/YouTube)

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