A set of strikes are due to hit London at the start of next month, with walkouts across the London Underground announced by Aslef union for the second week of November. RMT have also announced a round of strikes across the beginning of the month as both transport unions dispute over pay with industrial action.
When are the strikes taking place?
Aslef union has confirmed there will be strikes across the London Underground on both November 7 and November 12. Aslef has 2,000 members, and both train operators and managerial employees are due to strike on this day, with instructors and those in engineering also due to strike on different days in November.
RMT has around 10,000 members estimated to be taking part in the strikes, and they will walk out across different days between November 1 and November 8. There will also be overtime bans taking place for different sets of workers through the month.
What will happen during the Tube strikes?
On the day of the Aslef strikes, it is likely that the entire Tube network would be affected, though the scale of what would happen on the days of RMT strikes is not yet clear.
RMT station workers are set to walk out on November 5and signallers are due to follow suit for three consecutive days from November 6which means that the network will, as things stand, see many days of disruption at the start of the month.
Why are the strikes taking place?
Both unions have said that the strikes are coming in dispute over pay, as well as issues including long working hours
RMT has called their pay offer from TfL “wholly inadequate”.
Finn Brennan, Aslef’s full-time organiser on London Underground, spoke on the news, and said: “We don’t want to make travelling in and around the capital more difficult for passengers and we don’t want to lose a day’s pay – but we have been forced into this position because LU management won’t sit down properly and negotiate with us.”
“Our members voted by over 98% in favour of strike action, but underground management are still refusing to even discuss key elements of our claim. They refuse to discuss any reduction in the working week or introducing paid meal relief to bring underground drivers in line with those on the Elizabeth line and London Overground.”
Could the strikes be called off?
TfL is in discussion with both unions and there is always a chance an agreement could be struck which means the strikes won’t happen. As it stands, however, there has been no such deal, and the strikes will go ahead.
Also commenting on the news, a spokesperson for TfL said: “It is disappointing that Aslef and the RMT have announced industrial action following our recent discussions over pay, terms and conditions … We are engaging with our unions in good faith, having increased our offer since talks began, and have invited our unions to meet again next week. Our offer is fair for our people and affordable for London.”
Are there any more strikes set to take place?
There are currently no more strikes pencilled in across the London Underground. Watch this space for any further updates on the announced strikes and any upcoming action.
