A five-day strike by train drivers at a York-based rail firm has been called off.

Drivers at LNER, which runs the East Coast Main Line, that are members of the Aslef union were set to walk out and ban working overtime from Monday, February 5.

It was called in addition to a rolling programme of one-day strikes by union members from Tuesday, January 30, to February 5, and a nine-day overtime ban from Monday, January 29.

The rolling programme of strikes is still to go ahead, with Aslef members at LNER set to walk out on Friday, February 2.

But the additional five-day walkouts from February 5 have been called off, Aslef confirmed. 

York Press: LNER runs the East Coast Main LineLNER runs the East Coast Main Line (Image: Supplied)

Drivers had called the additional action against LNER amid speculation that the company was considering implementing the new minimum service level regulations.

But it is understood this will not happen during the upcoming strikes which has led to the five days of action being withdrawn.

An Aslef spokesperson said: “LNER changed their mind (about implementing the minimum service level regulations) so we withdrew our action.”

An LNER spokesperson said: “We welcome news that the threat of extended disruption to our services has been lifted.

“We encourage Aslef to work with us to find a way to end this long-running dispute, which only damages the rail industry.”

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The new law is aimed at ensuring a minimum level of service is available during strikes, set at 40 per cent in the railway industry.

Unions have warned the regulations are unworkable and potentially dangerous if passengers believe a certain number of trains will run.

None of the train companies affected by the new strikes have said they will implement the regulations.

Unions in other sectors affected by the new law have also warned they are unwarranted and unworkable.

The pay dispute started in the summer of 2022 and shows little sign of being resolved.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, previously said the union had given LNER management and the Government “every opportunity to come to the table” and negotiate but so far they have “no realistic offer” to members.

York Press: Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan (Image: James Manning/PA Wire)

“We have not heard from the transport secretary since December 2022, or from the train operating companies since April 2023,” he said.

“It’s time for them to come to the table and work with us to resolve this dispute so we can all move forward and get our railway back on track.”

But at the time a Department for Transport spokesperson said the Government had provided a “fair and reasonable” offer that was accepted by other unions.

They added Aslef was the "only rail union still refusing to put the offer to a vote".