Bad news, London. The ‘summer of discontent’ is rolling on and more rail strikes in the capital are on the way, with little sight of things letting up anytime soon.
As part of a long-running row over pensions, working conditions and job cuts, the RMT union is planning six days of industrial action on the London Underground this July, which will ‘shut down’ the TfL network.
ASLEF train drivers have announced they will also join RMT Underground staff in striking on two of the days.
The tube strike will take place between Sunday July 23 and Friday July 28, but there will be no action on Monday July 24. ASLEF train drivers will walk out on Wednesday July 26 and Friday July 28, Workers in engineering, maintenance and management roles will also be striking on July 26 and July 28.
The RMT has not yet confirmed which groups of workers will strike on which days, so we can’t say which lines will be affected yet, but expect widespread disruption across the whole network. We will update this page when we have more information.
The walkouts are being staged by London Underground workers, so the Overground and Elizabeth lines should run as normal during the July strikes, although they will likely be much busier.
A fresh wave of Arriva strikes are, however, on the way after revenue protection inspectors voted in favour of industrial action this morning (July 12). The dates haven’t been announced yet but they will affect Overground stations Chingford, Enfield Town, Gospel Oak, Surrey Quays and Willesden Junction.
The strike is part of a long-running row with TfL over job cuts, working conditions and pensions. The RMT said the cuts could lead to the loss of 600 jobs across the network.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘This week of action will shut down the London Underground and show just how important the work of our members is. Plans by TfL to cut 600 jobs and attack our members’ pensions are simply unacceptable.
‘We are aware that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has had the TfL budget cut. However, he needs to align himself with our union and his London Underground staff in pushing back against the Tory government, exposing their damaging agenda to a key part of London transport infrastructure.’
TfL’s Chief Operating Officer, Glynn Barton, said: ‘We are disappointed that the RMT has announced strike action on this range of issues that we have been attempting to discuss with them openly.
‘We are urging the union to reconsider and engage with us to discuss the issues and seek a resolution.’
Finn Brennan, ASLEF district organiser for London, said: ‘Unfortunately, the last few weeks have shown that London Underground management are determined to try to push through detrimental changes. To protect our pensions, working conditions, and agreements, our members are ready to act.’
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