Tube workers are set to stage strikes in September amid a dispute over pay and conditions. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said its members on the Tube will take industrial action at different times from September 5, for seven days.
From 6pm on Friday 5 September some union members at the Ruislip depot in west London will walk out for 24 hours. Then, from Sunday 7 September, different groups of members will walk out across the Tube network each day, with the aim of bringing operations to a halt.
The action would impact every Underground line, but not the Elizabeth line, nor the London Overground. This is because staff here are not part of the same union.
The union cited fatigue and “extreme” shift patterns as key reasons for the strikes, along with claims Transport for London has refused to engage seriously with pay demands.
In a separate dispute over pay and conditions, RMT members on London’s Docklands Light Railway will also be striking in the week beginning September 7.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Our members are doing a fantastic job to keep our capital moving and work strenuous shift patterns to make sure Londoners get to their destinations around the clock. They are not after a King’s ransom, but fatigue and extreme shift rotations are serious issues impacting on our members’ health and wellbeing – all of which have not been adequately addressed for years by LU management.
“Coupled with the fact there are outstanding issues around staff travel arrangements, an atmosphere of distrust has been created, where our members feel like no-one is listening to them.RMT will continue to engage LU management with a view to seeking a revised offer in order to reach a negotiated settlement.”
Strikes at a glance
Tube strike action (RMT members):
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Starts: 6pm, Friday 5 September – 24-hour walkout at Ruislip depot, west London.
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Continues: From Sunday 7 September – different groups strike each day across the Tube network.
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Impact: All Underground lines affected except the Elizabeth line and London Overground.
DLR strike action (RMT members):
Reason for strikes: Fatigue, extreme shift patterns, unresolved pay and travel arrangement issues.
A Transport for London spokesperson said: “We regularly meet with our trade unions to discuss any concerns that they may have, and we recently met with the RMT to discuss some specific points.
“We are committed to ensuring our colleagues are treated fairly and, as well as offering a 3.4% pay increase in our ongoing pay discussions, we have made progress on a number of commitments we have made previously.
“We welcome further engagement with our unions about fatigue and rostering across London Underground, but a reduction in the contractual 35-hour working week is neither practical nor affordable.
“Given the improvements we have recently put in place in response to concerns raised by our unions, we urge the RMT to put our fair, affordable pay offer to their members and to continue to engage with us rather than threaten strike action, which will only disrupt Londoners.”
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