London’s transport system is in complete chaos due to driver walkouts across all 11 lines. The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) began its strike over pay and conditions on Sunday (September 7).
Although there was some service on Tube lines yesterday this will not be the case for between Monday, September 8 and Thursday, September 11. The strike is centred on the union’s demand for a reduced 35-hour working week to 32 hours.
TfL believe the demand is impractical and would cost tens-of-millions, and have instead tabled a 3.4 per cent increase in pay.
On Friday afternoon (September 5), Nick Dent, London Underground’s (LU) director of customer operations, told the PA News Agency it was not too late to avert industrial action. “We have met four times in the past two weeks and we would welcome further talks,” he said, adding: “It is not too late to call off the strikes and put our offer to the RMT members.”
Despite last-ditch pleas from both sides no agreement has been made to call off the strikes. It means that as things stand there will be no Trains on the London Underground until Friday.
Between Tuesday and Thursday we’ll see even more disruption when DLR staff walkout in a separate pay dispute. Ahead of this, the service is suspended today between Shadwell and Bank.
The Elizabeth line, London Overground and buses are covered by different bargaining units so are not part of this week’s strike action. These will be the primary mode of transport for commuters braving a trip to the office.
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