Negotiations are underway between London Underground (LU) and the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) in an effort to prevent a Tube strike that could paralyze the network.
Should the strikes occur, the Tube would see minimal to no service between Sunday and Thursday as various segments of RMT members participate in rolling walkouts over issues related to pay, fatigue management, and the push for a 32-hour work week.
Additionally, a separate conflict will result in strikes affecting the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) on both Tuesday and Thursday, leading to service disruptions.
Transport for London (TfL) has proposed a 3.4% salary increase and expresses a desire for further discussions with unions, but contends that reducing the standard 35-hour workweek is “neither feasible nor sustainable.”
The RMT has voiced concerns about work and shift patterns and their repercussions on the health and well-being of its members.
Finding a solution regarding the 32-hour workweek will pose a significant challenge.
Last year, the mayor managed to use £30 million from the Greater London Authority (GLA) funds to prevent a Tube strike at the last moment, although he later faced allegations of misleading the London Assembly about the details until the figures were disclosed in budget documents.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey remarked, “Our members are doing an incredible job keeping the capital moving while enduring demanding shift patterns to ensure Londoners reach their destinations at all hours. They are not asking for an exorbitant amount, yet the issues of fatigue and extreme shifts significantly affect our members’ health and well-being—concerns that have not been properly addressed by LU management for years.”
He further noted, “Furthermore, ongoing issues with staff travel arrangements have fostered an atmosphere of distrust where our members feel unheard. The RMT will continue to communicate with LU management in hopes of securing a revised offer for a negotiated resolution.”
A spokesperson from TfL stated, “We regularly engage with our trade unions to address their concerns and recently held discussions with the RMT on specific issues. We are committed to fair treatment for our employees and, alongside our 3.4% pay increase proposal, have made progress on various prior commitments. Given the recent improvements made in response to union concerns, we urge the RMT to present our fair and sustainable pay proposal to their members and engage constructively with us, rather than resorting to strike threats that would disrupt Londoners.”
