(EPA)
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Londoners face “little to no” service on Tube lines as strike action is set to cause severe travel disruption in the capital.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) are taking industrial action across the network between 5 and 11 January.
Transport for London (TfL) has advised customers who must travel to consider alternative routes from Sunday, when the worst of the disruption begins.
Glynn Barton, TfL’s chief operating officer, said he was disappointed the RMT had refused a 5% wage increase offer.
He said: “We have been clear throughout our productive discussions with our trade unions that this offer is the most we can afford while ensuring that we can operate safely, reliably and sustainably.”
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said Tube workers were not going to accept poor offers and the “continual undermining of conditions”.
He added: “The refusal of TfL to restore staff travel facilities and create a two-tier workforce is also unacceptable.”
Trade minister calls Sadiq Khan ‘feeble’ ahead of new RMT strikes
Sadiq Khan has been accused of failing to use strike-busting minimum service legislation on TfL services as a fresh wave of walkouts.
Greg Hands, local MP for Chelsea and Fulham, posted on X: “Mayor Khan is feeble. 140 Tube strikes with him as Mayor. And he won’t use the Government’s new legislation to provide a minimum service on the Tube.
“And he promised us ‘zero days of public transport strikes’ to get elected in 2016.
“It’s time for a new Mayor.”
New regulations are aimed at ensuring a minimum level of services during strikes, starting in sectors including the railways and the Border Force before being more widely introduced.
The Government brought forward the new law following 18 months of strikes by hundreds of thousands of workers including nurses, teachers, junior doctors, civil servants and train drivers.
(PA)
Barney Davis7 January 2024 14:33
10,000 RMT workers to walkout over the next week
London Underground workers are taking strike action, over pay, grading structures and travel facilities, the RMT has said.
Control staff will strike on Sunday for 24 hours and from Monday to Wednesday nearly 10,000 RMT members will strike across the Tube.
An RMT spokesperson said: “TfL has failed to avert this strike by not offering a deal that was acceptable to our members on London Underground.
“We do not take strike action lightly but we are determined to get a negotiated settlement on pay, travel facilities and a grading structure that means our members will not lose out.”
Union man: Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, in his office at the union’s HQ
(Simon Calder)
Barney Davis7 January 2024 14:00
RMT demanding a ‘modest pay rise’ after rejecting 5% increase
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has urged people to join them on the picket line at Kings Cross on Monday morning as travel chaos is expected.
The walkout comes after last-ditch talks failed over a pay increase.
Glynn Barton, TfL’s chief operating officer, said he was disappointed the RMT had refused a 5% wage increase offer.
Barney Davis7 January 2024 13:51
TfL warns all tube passengers to complete journeys by 5.30pm
Transport for London has warned of disruption across the entire tube network as RMT members walk out on Sunday afternoon.
TfL outlined a timetable for the strikes
- Sunday 7 January: Tube services will close earlier than normal. Complete Tube journeys by 5.30
- Monday 8 to Thursday 11 January: Severe disruption is expected, with little to no service expected to run
- Friday 12 January: Tube services will start later than normal, with a good service expected by midday
No other TfL services will be on strike.
A spokesman said: “Some bus, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and national rail services will be busier. They may also be subject to change or affected by station closures where stations also serve London Underground lines.”
Barney Davis7 January 2024 13:04
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