Londoners warned not to travel next week as strikes mean 'little to no Tube'
Transport for London (TfL) has warned there will be "little to no Tube service" on the London Underground next week due to planned strike action.
Members of Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are set to down tools on separate days between January 7 and 12, and TfL is advising passengers to "only travel if their journey is essential" from Sunday evening. It comes after RMT members voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action over a 5% pay offer, with TfL adamant the rise is "the most we can afford".
Control centre and power/control members will walk out for 24 hours from midnight on January 7. Signallers and service controller members will then go on strike on January 9 and 12. Other fleet, station and train workers will walk out on January 8 and 10. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch has said essential Tube workers were being given "modest below-inflation offers" while senior employees are "raking it in".
The Elizabeth line, London Overground, DLR, London Trams and London buses are scheduled to operate as normal but may be subject to last-minute changes and will be much busier than usual during the strike days.
TfL outlined the timing of the disruption
- On Sunday, January 7, Tube services will end earlier than normal. Customers are advised to complete Tube journeys by 5.30pm, although lines serving the Emirates will try to remain open longer. Football fans are encouraged to make their way straight to the trains after the match as services will start to close from 7.30pm on those lines.
- From Monday, January 8 to Thursday, January 11, severe disruption is expected, with little to no Tube service expected to run
- On Friday, January 12, Tube services will start later than normal, with a good service expected by midday
Mr Lynch said: "The refusal of TfL to restore staff travel facilities and create a two-tier workforce is also unacceptable. Our members have made it clear that they are prepared to take action and we urge TfL to improve their offer to avert disruption in the capital."
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
Glynn Barton, TfL's Chief Operating Officer, said: "We are disappointed that RMT is planning strike action in response to our offer of a five per cent pay increase. 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. We encourage the RMT to engage with us to avoid disruption for Londoners. We would like to advise anyone travelling during the strike days to check before they travel."
It comes after an initial announcement in November saw union members voting overwhelmingly to agree to an offer in their 18-month dispute over pay and conditions. Hailing the deal at the time, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “This is welcome news for passengers and a significant step towards resolving industrial disputes on the railway, giving workers a pay rise before Christmas and a pathway to delivering long overdue reforms."
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