The RMT and Aslef unions have suspended industrial action that would have put a halt to the Tube network for four days and caused widespread disruption from Monday to Saturday.
As part of a protracted dispute over pensions, job losses and working conditions, the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) had proposed six days of strikes on the London Underground from July 23.
The RMT’s general secretary, Mick Lynch, said that although there had been “significant progress” in talks held by conciliation service Acas, this was not the end of the dispute, negotiations were continuing, and a strike mandate was still in place.
The union said concessions included longer guarantees on earnings, no pension changes for at least three years and a halt to productivity proposals that it said would have damaged the terms and conditions of RMT members.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said that the decision to suspend strike action was “really welcome news for Londoners”.
“Despite the onerous funding deal conditions imposed by the government we have managed to avoid industrial action,” he added.
“Negotiation is always the best way forward and this shows what we can achieve by working with trade unions.”
The RMT’s planned rail strikes are still in place so it is advisable for you to double-check your plans before leaving, particularly the first and last trains on strike days and, if applicable, your return trip.
For the most recent information, visit the Live Trains website and Journey Planner. If you still have questions, contact your local train company.
When are the train strikes?
Between July 20 and July 29
The RMT union announced that strikes affecting nationwide rail services will take place on Thursday, July 20, Saturday, July 22 and Saturday, July 29. There are likely to be little or no service across the network, according to the National Rail website.
July 26 and July 28
Aslef members at 16 rail operators will refuse to work overtime – an action short of a strike – on the following days:
- Friday, July 21
- Saturday, July 22
- Monday, July 31
- Tuesday, August 1
- Wednesday, August 2
- Thursday, August 3
- Friday, August 4
- Saturday, August 5
Which train services will be affected by the strikes?
The following services will be subject to industrial action, according to the National Rail website.
- Avanti West Coast
- Chiltern Railways
- CrossCountry
- East Midlands Railway
- Great Western Railway
- GTR
- LNER
- Northern Trains
- Southeastern
- South Western Railway
- Transpennine Express
- West Midlands Railway
Public transport over July 23-28
There are various strikes affecting several different types of public transport between July 23 and July 28.
Tube
The Tube strike has been called off so trains should run as normal.
Overground trains
Passengers can expect normal services on the London Overground and Heathrow Express.
Buses
Buses are a convenient substitute during strikes, and the daily maximum fare for pay-as-you-go bus-only travel is restricted to £4.95. However, expect services to be busy.
Rent a bike
For those wanting to avoid packed buses when a train or Tube strike hits, city bikes such as Santander Cycles are available across London.
Call a cab
Black taxis, Uber and Bolt will also be on hand to help people needing to get to their location.
Eurostar
Eurostar will be running as normal; however, connections to and from the train operator’s main hub at London St Pancras International will be difficult because staff at East Midlands Railway, Southeastern, and Thameslink, which serve the station, are walking out.
July events affected by the strikes
Passengers planning to travel to the first four days of the fourth Ashes Test between England and Australia, which starts on Wednesday July 19 at Old Trafford in Manchester, will be affected by the Aslef overtime ban.
Three of the month’s busiest days will be the focus of the RMT union’s nationwide walkouts.
Beginning on July 20 and 22, when the Open golf tournament is being held at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, a lot of families will be on the move.
Travel to and from holiday resorts as well as cricket fans going to London for the fifth Ashes Test at the Oval will be affected by the strike on July 29.
What if you have a train ticket booked for one of the strike days?
If the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled, passengers with Advance, Anytime or Off-Peak tickets can be reimbursed without paying fees.
Train companies will probably provide customers with the option to travel on a variety of days that are not strike days.
Season ticket holders who don’t use their tickets can submit a Delay Repay claim for reimbursement for the strike dates.
