Tube strikes have been known to be cancelled at the 11th hour, but even if a settlement is reached over the weekend, it may still be difficult to prevent disruption next week
Chaos beckons across the London Underground network as the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) members strike. Union members voted overwhelmingly to take action after negotiations failed to resolve a long-running dispute over pay and conditions, following the union’s demand for a 32‑hour week vs TfL’s 3.4 per cent pay rise offer.
Walkouts are expected to hit passengers badly from Sunday (September 7) with only limited services operating that day and people urged to complete journeys by 6pm at the latest. Then the Tube strikes will mean from Monday, September 8 through to 8am on Friday, September 12 there will be little or no service expected across the whole Tube network. Separately on Tuesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 11 no service is expected on the DLR due to other strike action.
The strikes will have such a severe impact on the capital that US rapper Post Malone has rescheduled his shows at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium planned for September 7 and September 8, for September 21 and September 22. Tickets to both shows will be valid for the rescheduled dates.
Why is the Elizabeth line not affected?
Many people will be wondering exactly why the Elizabeth line won’t be affected. And it’s because contrary to popular belief, it’s not a London Underground line. The Elizabeth line uses full-sized, National Rail-standard trains and infrastructure, unlike other TfL services which operate on their own lines.
Staff on the Elizabeth line are also not part of the same union teams, and the line is operated under different agreements. That said, it may still face knock-on effects from the walkout. It’s likely to be busier while Tube lines are closed and TfL has warned that it could face delays and may not stop at certain stations served by Tube lines.
Could the strikes be called off?
Tube strikes have been known to be cancelled at the 11th hour, but even if a settlement is reached over the weekend, it may still be difficult to prevent disruption next week.
The RMT previously accused TfL of taking a ‘dismissive approach’ to negotiations and said management’s failure to engage seriously with demands over wages, extreme shift patterns, fatigue management, and working hours has “fuelled widespread anger and distrust among the workforce”.
Upcoming Tube strike disruption day by day
You can find the projected level of disruption below:
- Sunday, September 7 – Disruption expected across London Underground, with limited services operating. Services that do run will close earlier than normal with customers advised that all journeys should be complete by 6pm
- Monday, September 8 to Thursday, September 11 – Little or no service expected across London Underground. Any services that do run will start later than usual with no service before 8am
- Tuesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 11 – No service expected on the DLR
- Friday, September 12 – No service before 8am, with a good service on all lines expected by late morning
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