Disruption to London’s transport network looms after the union batting for Tube drivers confirmed it is still negotiating with Transport for London. On Wednesday afternoon (August 3), an RMT union spokesperson told MyLondon it is ‘seeking a revised offer’ and ‘strikes remain on’, hours after talks with TfL reached an impasse over the union’s demand for 32‑hour week vs TfL’s 3.4 per cent pay offer.
MyLondon understands the RMT has been clear it will only accept a reduction in working hours. TfL believes the reduction is unaffordable and impractical. With both sides refusing to back down, as it stands the strikes planned from Friday (September 5) to Thursday (September 11) will go ahead unless a deal is reached by Friday night.
In the past, Tube strikes have been called off last minute, but even if a deal is reached over the weekend, it may still be difficult to prevent disruption next week. The action will impact every Underground line, causing no service between Monday and Thursday, and limited services on Sunday. The Elizabeth line and London Overground are not affected as the drivers are part of a different union.
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”.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “[Members] 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.”
Hours reduction ‘neither practical nor affordable’ – TfL
In an email to all staff on Wednesday, reported by the Evening Standard, Nick Dent, TfL’s director of London Underground customer operations, said pay budget is ‘best spent’ increasing pay rather than reducing contractual hours. TfL claims a a small reduction in contractual hours will cost the organisation tens of millions pounds, and that they have already put in measures to reduce fatigue.
Claire Mann, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “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.”
Last year the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan prevented a walk-out with a £30million deal, giving an 11 per cent boost to the lowest paid staff. Research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, carried out for the Standard, predicts next week’s strikes could cost the London economy £230m. 6,004 RMT members backed the strike, 4,200 did not vote, 209 said no, and 15 spoiled their ballot.
You can read our explainer on the strikes and the key issues at stake here.
Timeline of recent London transport strikes
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2022 (June–August): Multiple Tube and rail walkouts over pay and job security during a wave of national strikes across the UK.
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2023 (March & July): Tube drivers staged 24-hour strikes over pensions, pay freezes, and working hours.
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2024 (January): Sir Sadiq Khan averts RMT strike after finding £30m for pay offer.
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2024 (April): Planned strike by ASLEF was cancelled after improved pay offer.
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2024 (November) – RMT and ASLEF strike called off at the last minute due to improved pay offer.
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September 2025 (planned): Seven-day Tube strike and DLR strike action over fatigue, shift patterns, and wage disputes.
Upcoming Tube strike disruption day by day
You can find the projected level of disruption below:
- Friday September 5 to Saturday September 6 – No expected impact on customers’ journeys
- 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 11 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
Tips for travelling during the strike action
Use Alternative Transport
- Buses, the Elizabeth line, and Overground services will continue running but expect significantly longer queues and overcrowded carriages during peak times.
- Walk or cycle for any journey under 2 miles in central London, as distances are often manageable and faster than waiting for packed alternative services.
- Grab dockless bikes or e-scooters during rush hour when other transport becomes overwhelmed with commuters.
Plan Around Disruptions
- Some stations will close temporarily if there aren’t enough staff available, so check your route before traveling.
- Timetables can change at very short notice, so always check live updates before setting off.
Prepare in Advance
- Work from home if your employer allows it, especially on strike days that fall on Mondays or Fridays when disruption is typically worst.
- Map out your essential journeys beforehand and identify backup routes using TfL’s journey planner.
- Allow at least double your normal travel time and consider traveling outside the standard rush hours of 7-9am and 5-7pm.
- Book accommodation near Overground or Elizabeth line stations if you’re visiting London during the strike period.
How much do Tube and bus drivers earn?
According to data released by TfL following a Freedom of Information request, the average annual salary for a London Underground driver in April 2024 was £65,179. Advanced operators were paid more, earning an average of £75,677.
Tube drivers typically work around 35 hours per week, spread across about three and a half shifts. A standard operator earned £35.70 an hour, while advanced operators were paid £39.20 an hour. Overtime was significantly higher, with regular drivers earning £44.62 per hour and advanced drivers £49.00 per hour.
Elizabeth line drivers, meanwhile, saw their pay boosted earlier this year. Following a deal struck in February, they now make £75,000 a year – more than the average Tube operator.
Pay for London bus drivers is considerably lower than on the Tube. Depending on experience, drivers earn between £15 and £20 an hour, equating to annual salaries of roughly £31,000 to £37,440.
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