Tube travellers have been issued a stark warning as major disruption kicked off today due to strike action, with the chaos expected to continue throughout much of the upcoming week. The first day of this week’s strikes by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has begun, resulting in a limited Tube service today.
Passengers are bracing for minimal to no service across the London Underground network from Monday to Thursday. Travellers have been urged to prepare for industrial action, with Transport for London (TfL) advising people to plan ahead on strike days.
Commuters are encouraged to use TfL’s journey planner or apps such as City Mapper. “Cycling or walking is also recommended by TfL, with Santander, Lime and Forest bikes available to hire across the capital, as well as electric scooters in some London boroughs,” TfL stated. The news comes as strike chaos could see UK grind to halt as bus drivers set to join Tube staff in walkout.
RMT members, including drivers, signallers and maintenance workers, have launched a series of strikes over pay and conditions, leading to significant disruption for millions of commuters. TfL has proposed a 3.4 percent pay rise, which it described as “fair”, stating that it cannot afford to meet the RMT’s demand for a reduction in the working week.
Nick Dent, London Underground’s (LU) director of customer operations, said the union’s demands for a cut in the 35-hour week were “simply unaffordable” and would cost hundreds of millions of pounds, reports the Mirror.
The last Tube-wide strike was three years ago, over pay and pensions, but Mr Dent said next week’s action will be different because separate groups of workers will walk out on different days. “It will be very damaging for us,” he added.
An RMT spokesperson said: “We are not going on strike to disrupt small businesses or the public. This strike is going ahead because of the intransigent approach of TfL management and their refusal to even consider a small reduction in the working week in order to help reduce fatigue and the ill health affects of long-term shift work on our members.
“We believe a shorter working week is fair and affordable, particularly when you consider TfL has a surplus of £166 million last year and a £10 billion annual operating budget. There are 2,000 fewer staff working on London Underground since 2018 and our members are feeling the strain of extreme shift patterns.
“London Underground is doing well financially and all our members want is fair consideration. But TfL is refusing to even consider marginally reducing the working week, citing costs ranging from tens of millions to now hundreds of millions. We remain open to talks, securing a negotiated settlement and call on the Mayor of London to intervene.”
Passengers are being urged to check their travel plans as Tubes and buses are expected to be busier than usual. Additionally, Docklands Light Railway services will face disruption next Tuesday and Thursday due to a strike by RMT members over a separate pay dispute.