TOMORROW'S planned strike by train drivers that would have hit London Midland services serving Harrow and Brent has been cancelled.
Union ASLEF called off the proposed 24-hour industrial action after the train company won a High Court injunction on Tuesday that declared the ballot for a walkout illegal.
Those routes that would have been affected include the Birmingham to London Euston line that calls at Harrow and Wealdstone and Wembley Central stations but the timetable will run as normal.
ASLEF officer Mick Whelan previously said: "London Midland is made up of two previous franchises, Silverlink and Central Trains and we have been negotiating for three years to harmonise the conditions of drivers from the two companies – over 600 in all - but our efforts have been resisted by management all the way.
"Some drivers are being paid £1,200 less than other drivers for doing exactly the same job. It is a ludicrous situation and we will be taking strike action to demonstrate the strength of feeling of our membership at London Midland."
The union had balloted 605 members about the strike and 86 per cent had supported the walkout. But the High Court judge decided three members had been balloted incorrectly and ruled the result illegal.
Afterwards, a London Midland spokesman said: "We are delighted that our passengers will not have to face what would have been unnecessary disruption at such an important time of the year.
“We have always made it clear we remain open to discussion and want to resolve this dispute with ASLEF, but they have to be realistic.
"Ex-Central Trains drivers do receive a slightly higher salary. However, ex-Silverlink drivers receive a more generous holiday entitlement - so it is misleading for ASLEF to say anyone is losing out.
“We also want equal terms for all, but ASLEF wants to cherry-pick the highest salary and holiday leave – to combine the best of both worlds. It’s simply not affordable.
“We hope we can now sit down and work towards a resolution with them.”
Mr Whelan told the Observer the union was considering its two options: appeal the court's decision or re-ballot members.
