2017: Young Member Definition

The Young Members Forum submitted a letter to the Executive Committee requesting that ASLEF’s definition of a young member was changed from 27 to 35.

Whilst in many unions the upper limit is 27 years old, other transport unions and the European and International Transport Federations have a limit of 35.

As you currently have to be 21 to become a train driver, and many drivers enter the profession having previously had other careers, the average age of a driver is higher than that in other occupations.

The Executive Committee agreed to the request from the Young Members Forum and in March 2017 this came into affect.

Young members are still in the minority in the train driving grade, making up just 15.8% of drivers in 2018 (On Track with Diversity 2019 report).