London Underground passengers are facing a week of travel disruption as workers across the Tube network go on strike.
Aslef and RMT union members voted in favour of strike action to secure an improved pay offer — but the RMT called its planned strikes off on Friday.
Aslef workers are proceeding with their plans to walk out.
Here’s everything you need to know, from when the strikes are to which Tube lines will be affected.
When are the London Tube strikes?
Tube drivers, instructors, management grades and members in the engineering section are striking on Thursday, November 7 and Tuesday, November 12, Aslef has said.
There is a chance these strikes could be called off at the last minute, as happened with the RMT’s walkouts.
How will they affect London Tube services?
If you’re due in the office or have plans in central London, it might be worth seeing if you can reschedule.
Transport for London (TfL) has said no Tube services are expected to run on Thursday, with “severe disruptions [...] and little to no service” the following Tuesday.
Any services that do run on November 12 are expected to start late and finish early. It’s also likely that other services, including buses and mainline trains, will be incredibly busy on strike days.
Issues are also expected on November 8 and 13 as services restart.
Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Overground and the Elizabeth line will continue running but services may not stop at some Tube stations due to staffing (though TfL hasn’t said which ones) — and they’re also expected to be incredibly busy.
TfL has advised passengers to plan their journeys using its website.
Why have train unions called for Tube strikes?
Both train unions were striking in a dispute over pay and issues including long hours and other workers’ reliefs such as paid meals.
Cancelling its industrial action, the RMT said: “Following intense negotiations with London Underground management and a significantly improved offer, we have suspended the strikes scheduled to start this evening.
“Further discussions will take place next week regarding the pay offer but progress has been made which would not have been possible without the fortitude and industrial strength of our 10,000 members on London Underground.”
Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, said she was “pleased” that RMT’s strikes were called off and that further talks with the union will continue.
However, Aslef is continuing with its strikes.
The union’s district organiser, Finn Brennan, said it had been “forced” into action because London Underground management would not negotiate with its members.
Mr Brennan said there had been “no movement” from TfL in response to its demands for improving Tube driver conditions and added: “The Aslef strikes are still on.”
What happens next?
Further talks are planned — meaning the strikes could be called off if TfL improves its offer.
Aslef’s Mr Brennan said: “We don’t want to go on strike — 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 London Underground management won’t sit down properly and negotiate with us.”
A TfL representative said: “We have been in long-term discussions with our trade union colleagues on how to modernise procedures and processes on London Underground to improve the experience both for staff and customers.
“We have no plans to impose these changes and have committed to no one losing their job as part of these changes, and we have engaged with our unions to demonstrate that no change will be made that compromises our steadfast commitment to safety on the Tube network.
“We urge Aslef to continue discussions with us so that disruption for Londoners can be averted.”
Are there any upcoming train strikes?
There are no planned train strikes at the moment.
