ASLEF - The UK Train Drivers' Union

31/07/2026

Hours and hours without a toilet break. Unsafe, dirty or inaccessible facilities. Limited access to sanitary products.

From periods to childbirth to menopause, the rail industry is failing women train drivers.

And by not tackling the issue of toilets, the industry is placing barriers in front of women who may wish to join the grade.

30/07/2026

'Drink water.' That's what employers are telling train drivers in the scorching weather.

But you can't hydrate if you can't urinate.

We need now.

29/07/2026

Train drivers' health is suffering because of industry inaction.

The wellbeing of our members is not a price ASLEF is prepared to pay.

It's time for the companies to deliver what they promised 12 months ago: no more than four hours without a toilet break.

now.

28/07/2026

Promise broken.

Train and freight operating companies pledged to ensure that, by July 2026, every train driver would have access to a toilet within four hours of signing on for duty.

Well, it's July, and they still haven't implemented that agreement.

Many drivers are going hours without a toilet break. And freight drivers in particular have no access to toilets at all on many of their shifts.

The time for talking is over. Dignity for Drivers now.

25/07/2026

Jobs secured throughout the supply chain.

British Steel has been renationalised. This is great news for the railways.

Without the Scunthorpe steel works, we can't make rails. No rails, no trains.

And freight trains are a huge part of the steel supply chain – transporting the raw materials to make the steel then transporting the finished product away.

Nationalisation provides greater security for rail freight companies, and helps secure jobs in our communities.

17/07/2026

NEW: Merseyside’s rail network will be run for passengers, not private profit!

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has decided that Merseyrail will be publicly owned from 2028.

Profits will be reinvested back into the service instead of being paid out to private operators.

14/07/2026

The ASLEF Executive Committee has nominated Andy Burnham for Leader of the Labour Party.

Announcing the nomination, General Secretary Dave Calfe said:

‘As Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham showed real commitment to public transport and pushed for the government to invest in high-speed rail.

‘His government’s key task must be to invest in our infrastructure to generate secure jobs, raise living standards and meet our net-zero targets.

‘To deliver real change for working people, unions must be true partners in the Labour government.’

13/07/2026

ASLEF members and East Midlands Railway colleagues involved in last month's awful incident near Bedford have met with Rail Minister Lord Hendy.

ASLEF continues to support all members affected, and our thoughts remain with the loved ones of our member Shaun Burton, who tragically lost his life that day.

08/07/2026

It’s hot outside. But it’s even hotter in a train driving cab.

Images from a thermal camera show the sweltering surface temperatures inside a train cab.

Employers’ solution is to tell drivers to ‘hydrate’ – even though many don’t have access to a toilet while at work!

We need:

🚽 – guaranteed access to a safe, clean, accessible toilet within four hours of signing on for duty
🚆 Better cab design, with properly regulated temperature control
🌡️ Legislation for a maximum working temperature.

07/07/2026