Updated 13.40

ASLEF members at Govia Thameslink Railway, Southeastern and South Western Railway are staging the first in a series of 24-hour strikes today which will affect most operators in England between now and 5 February, while a continuous overtime ban will disrupt services at all these operators until next Tuesday.

On strike days, almost no trains are running at each operator in turn.

Meanwhile, the RMT has announced two 48-hour walkouts at London Overground on 19-20 February and 4-5 March, after the Transport for London Overground contractor Arriva Rail London made what the union is describing as ‘a below inflation pay offer’. This then triggered a vote in favour of strikes.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘London Overground workers do an important job delivering services for TfL and supporting passengers on journeys throughout London.

’Our members are furious that they have been given a below inflation pay offer and want to see an improvement that represents the value they bring to the company.

‘If this dispute cannot be resolved then RMT is more than prepared for a sustained period of industrial action to get London Overground workers the pay rise they deserve.’

Arriva Rail London managing director Steve Best said: ‘At the time of writing this statement, the RMT has yet to notify ARL on the dates for industrial action. We are hugely disappointed to hear of the RMT union’s decision to stage industrial action on the London Overground in February and March. We believe we have offered a good pay award in comparison not only to our industry, but other industries and businesses in the UK too. We remain committed to engaging with the RMT in the hope of resolving this dispute.

‘We remain in a cost-pressurised environment, and it is therefore important for us to offer our colleagues a pay award that is affordable and sustainable. We are committed to delivering fair pay awards for our employees, as well as protecting long-term job security for our people.

‘We are putting robust contingency plans in place should any industrial action go ahead, to ensure the safety and security of our people and customers.’