As part of what is a very long-running dispute with the Department for Transport (DfT) over pay and working conditions, train drivers who are members of the ASLEF union have agreed to stage another series of strikes towards the end of this month and the start of the next.
It has been announced that strike action will take place on the nation’s rail networks between Tuesday 30 January and Monday 5 February 2024.
ASLEF members will walk out from 16 train operators over a number of dates throughout that week.
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Find out why train drivers are taking strike action and read about the background to the dispute: https://t.co/hyu769ssko
First up, on Tuesday 30 January, members will strike at Southeastern, GTR Southern/Gatwick Express, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, SWR Island Line, and South Western Railway, with Northern Trains and Transpennine Trains to follow on Wednesday 31 January – the latter of which is set to affect much of the North West region.
Then, on Friday 2 February, strikes will be staged on Greater Anglia, C2C, and LNER services, before on West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, and East Midlands Railway follow on Saturday 3 February, and Great Western, CrossCountry, and Chiltern close out the week of industrial action on Monday 5 February.
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On top of these actual strike dates, an ‘overtime ban’ is also in place for the week, meaning further disruption to usual services is expected as drivers will also refuse to work overtime from Monday 29 January until Tuesday 6 February.
Members of the ASLEF union will stage a series of strikes at the end of this month / Credit: National Rail
ASLEF strike dates January & February 2024
Tuesday 30 January – Southeastern, GTR Southern/Gatwick Express, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, SWR Island Line, South Western Railway Depot Drivers, and South Western Railway mainline drivers
Wednesday 31 January – Northern Trains, and Transpennine Trains
Friday 2 February – Greater Anglia, C2C, and LNER
Saturday 3 February – West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, and East Midlands Railway
Monday 5 February – Great Western Railway, CrossCountry, and Chiltern
“We have given the Government every opportunity to come to the table,” commented Mick Whelan, who is the General Secretary of ASLEF, as the fresh round of train driver strikes were announced yesterday.
“But it has now been a year since we had any contact from the Department for Transport, and it’s clear they do not want to resolve this dispute.
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“Many of our members have now not had a single penny increase to their pay in half a decade, during which inflation soared, and with it the cost of living. Train drivers didn’t even ask for an increase during the COVID-19 pandemic when they worked throughout as keyworkers, risking their lives to allow NHS and other workers to travel.
Industrial action is part of a long-running dispute with the Government over pay and working conditions / Credit: Northern
“The Government has now tried their old trick of changing the rules when they can’t win and brought in Minimum Service Levels legislation, but this new law, as we told officials during the consultation period, won’t ease industrial strife – it will likely just make it worse.”
Mr Whelan claimed there’s “no excuse” for the Government’s actions.
“The Government and train operating companies must come to the table with a realistic offer so we can end this dispute and work together to ensure the future of our railways,” he concluded.
Featured Image – National Rail
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Four rare African ducklings have been hatched at Chester Zoo for the very first time
Danny Jones
More conversation celebration down the road at Chester Zoo, as the award-winning wildlife park has welcomed four African ducklings who belong to a rare breed.
As is so often the case with the work they do all year-round, their arrival could help signal the species’ survival in the long run, whose status was sadly upgraded from vulnerable to endangered on the official IUCN Red List.
The particular type of fowl we’re referring to is the Maccao duck, a stiff-tailed bird that typically belongs to the fresh and brackish inland waters of Eastern and Southern Africa.
Medium-sized, chunky, with big bills and subtle striping around their heads, they’re gorgeous creatures as is, but especially so as ducklings…
If you didn’t say ‘awww’ out loud, then you’re just lying.
As the Zoo itself put it, they are “rare, fluffy and VERY cute.” Celebrating what is “a breeding breakthrough for one of Africa’s rarest ducks […] so these little guys are kind of a big deal.”
These little delightful little duckies are known for diving down to the bottom of lakes and riverbeds to forage for aquatic invertebrates and plants; in fact, given the choice, they tend to prefer going underwater over flying pretty much full-stop.
As a resident species that doesn’t migrate like many other birds, they are native to nations like Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. They’re identifiable by their dark black heads, blue bills (among the males, at least) and presence within the wetlands.
However, their estimated numbers continue to drop, and unfortunately, just 14 of their kind currently remain in Kenya and only 100 in Tanzania, with fewer than 5,000 believed to be left across the entire African continent.
Not only is this the first time the species has ever been successfully bred by bird experts at Chester Zoo, but conservationists hope ducklings will put a spotlight on the threatened species.
Their scientific name is ‘Oxyura maccoa’.Just like human babies, they prone to stuff all over their face.As far as ducklings go, these adorable little African variants are pretty special. (Credit: Supplied)
The zoo’s Head of Birds, Andrew Owen, said of their birth: “As one of just seven zoos in Europe – and 12 zoos globally – that care for Maccoa ducks, these ducklings are very special as they’re the first of their kind to ever hatch here at the zoo – making it a really historic moment for our team,
“This success gives a real boost to the future of the species, and these vital new additions will contribute to the safety-net population in zoos. These birds are facing rapid decline in the wild, so every hatchling really does count.
“To see them now out on the water inside our new Heart of Africa habitat, which is dedicated to helping Africa’s most threatened species thrive, makes this milestone even more special.”
Nothing short of brilliant news, we’re sure you’ll agree; better still, in addition to the crucially charitable and conversation-based tourist attraction being named one of England’s most popular destinations once again, but these are the only rare birds welcome by the zookeepers this month.
Vogue’s immersive ‘Inventing the Runway’ show is coming to Manchester
Thomas Melia
A Vogue immersive show titled ‘Inventing the Runway’ is coming to Manchester, and it’s even co-created by Anna Wintour herself.
Ever fancied learning more about the fashion world? Well, now’s your chance to hear everything you need to know from global fashion leaders and lifestyle magazine Vogue.
The Anna Wintour-approved immersive experience comes alongside the announcement of Factory International‘s Winter lineup, which features another new event all about voyaging to the moon.
This Vogue-fronted experience will incorporate interviews, visual media and more to help attendees visualise fashion shows of the past, present and future.
As well as understanding how fashion shows became the pinnacle of a designer’s vision, this runway-themed display also includes looking back at iconic moments of fashion and pop culture.
‘Inventing the Runway’ by Vogue is focusing on outfits worn by models and A-listers alike, with narration from the one and only Cate Blanchett.
You can expect to see curated pieces by significant creative minds in fashion history like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and lots more.
Throughout the Vogue experience, as well as coming visually face to face with fashion, you will also hear a soundscape that perfectly reflects this innovative industry with a fusion of classical and pop music.
This fashion exhibition uses the same Lightroom technology behind the impressive David Hockney experience that opened back in December.
Vogue is using this show to honour anyone who has made an impact in the fashion world.The Met Gala has become a staple in everyone’s calendar year in and year out.First Northern Quarter’s Chanel show, now this… Très chic. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons/GoodFon)
Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer, Condé Nast, and Global Editorial Director, Vogue said: “At Vogue, we’ve been lucky enough over the decades to see many incredible runway shows, which have often told the story of fashion as much as the clothes themselves.”
“This Lightroom experience is a wonderful opportunity for a lot more people to experience first-hand the thrill of watching the history of fashion unfold right in front of them.”
You can experience Vogue’s ‘Inventing the Runway’ immersive show from 18 December to 10 January when it visits Aviva Studios this winter.
Find out more information and grab your tickets HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
16th January 2024 
