Politics
London Underground workers to strike for much of November after unions reject pay offer
Tube workers in London will strike next month in a dispute over pay, two unions have announced.
The strikes will take place from 1 to 16 November after members of both ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, and the RMT, representing most other Tube workers, rejected a pay offer from Transport for London (TfL).
London Underground drivers, instructors, managers, and engineers who are ASLEF members will strike across four days between 1 and 16 November.
They will also not work any overtime on different days, depending on their jobs.
Follow latest politics updates
Maintenance and engineering staff, controllers, emergency responders, signallers and fleet and engineering staff who are members of the RMT union will also strike on various days between 1 and 8 November.
• Engineering drivers and maintenance staff will strike on 1 and 2 November – with no overtime until 8 November
• Track access controllers, control centre staff will strike from 6.59pm on 3 November to 6.59pm on 4 November
• Emergency response unit staff will strike all day on 4 November
• Fleet, engineering, stations and trains staff will strike all day on 5 November
• Signallers and service controllers will strike all day on 6 November
• Train drivers, instructors, and managers will strike on 7 and 12 November
• Managers will not work any overtime on 3 and 16 November
• Engineering drivers will be on an overtime ban on 1 and 8 November.
Commuters and tourists will not be able to use the Tube for much of November. Pic: PA
ASLEF members voted overwhelmingly for the action, with 98.8% wanting strike action, with a 68% turnout.
Finn Brennan, ASLEF’s London Underground organiser, said: “We don’t want to go on strike – we don’t want to make travelling in and around the capital more difficult for passengers and we don’t want to lose a day’s pay – but we have been forced into this position because London Underground management won’t sit down properly and negotiate with us.”
He said Transport for London’s (TfL) pay offer of 3.8% plus a variable lump sum “means Underground drivers will stay on a lower salary than drivers on other TfL services while working longer hours”.
ASLEF said TfL management has refused to discuss key issues, including reducing the working week and introducing paid meal times to bring drivers in line with those working on the Elizabeth line and London Overground.
London’s roads become clogged during Tube strikes and buses are often packed. Pic: PA
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “No trade union can accept any pay proposal where management decide which of our members gets a pay rise and those who do not.”
“We remain open to negotiations, but London Underground must come back to the table with a comprehensive, consolidated offer that respects the rights of all our members. Until then, our industrial action will continue as planned.”
A TfL spokesperson said: “We have held several constructive discussions with our trade unions and, after considering their feedback, have made a revised offer with an average uplift of 4.6% which rewards our staff for their hard work and benefits the lowest-paid staff the most.
“We are engaging with our unions in good faith, having increased our offer since talks began, and have invited our unions to meet again next week.
“Our offer is fair for our people and affordable for London, and we urge our unions to continue working with us to support London and the wider economy.”
A spokesman for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “The mayor urges ASLEF and TfL to work together to avoid this industrial action.”