ASLEF train drivers at Northern have voted “overwhelmingly” to continue taking strike action for another six months.
The union announced the results of the vote yesterday, alongside the dates for a fresh round of strikes and overtime bans – with the next strike set to take place at the start of next month on the Northern network, as well as LNER.
ASLEF members at Northern will take strike action on Friday 1 March for “a failure by the company to adhere to existing agreements”, according to the union, and on top of this, will also take action short of a strike – which is also known as an ‘overtime ban’ – on the network from Thursday 29 February to Saturday 2 March.
Travel disruption is expected all across the North and the rest of the UK during this time – including here in Leeds.
We have announced strikes and an overtime ban at two train companies – LNER and Northern – for their persistent failure to comply with existing agreements - read more: https://t.co/47wz9CyVdT
This particular industrial action being taken by ASLEF members is separate to what is a very long-running dispute with the Department for Transport (DfT) over pay and working conditions.
With mandates for industrial action only lasting six months at a time, due to what ASLEF has referred to as the Conservative Government’s “anti-union legislation”, this was what led the union to having to reballot its members.
93.9% of ASELF members at Northern voted ‘yes’ to continuing strike action, with 96.6% also voting ‘yes’ to action short of strike.The overall ballot turnout for Northern Trains was 76.7%.
Image: National Rail
“We are fed up to the back teeth with the bad faith shown, day after day, week after week, and month after month by these two companies,” commented ASLEF’s General Secretary, Mick Whelan, as the ballot votes were released and fresh strike dates confirmed.
‘We always stick to agreements which we make. These companies think they can break agreements – which they freely enter into – whenever it suits them. And they’re wrong.
“This is a shot across their bows and a sign of things to come.
“They need to stop what they are doing, start to behave properly and honourably, because their drivers are no longer prepared to be treated like this.”
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Emily Sergeant -
15th February 2024 
