(EPA)
The RMT union has announced that a strike by London Underground workers that could have disrupted underground services this week has been called off.
The union has called off its planned tube strike this week following consultation with TfL.
Actions scheduled for Monday to Thursday will no longer take place after the RMT made progress in its discussions with TfL today.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, said: “Following today’s further positive discussions, pay agreement negotiations for London Underground members are now on an improved basis and further significant sums for settlements have been secured. “Funding has become mandatory.”
“This significant improvement in the funding situation means that any planned strike action will be suspended with immediate effect and we will enter into urgent negotiations with TfL to develop an appropriate agreement and resolution to the dispute. I’m looking forward to that.”
Londoners faced “little or no” Underground service as the strike caused severe disruption to travel across the capital.
Transport for London (TfL) is advising customers who need to travel on the following transport services: london underground to complete the trip by 5:30pm on Sunday as an industrial action. strike the pipe workers begins.
A subway strike that would have paralyzed London was called off at the last minute.
The RMT has called off a planned tube strike this week following consultation with TfL. Actions scheduled for Monday to Thursday will no longer take place after the RMT made progress in its discussions with TfL today.
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, said: “Following today’s further positive discussions, pay agreement negotiations for London Underground members are now on an improved basis and further significant sums for settlements have been secured. “Funding has become mandatory.”
“This significant improvement in the funding situation means that any planned strike action will be halted with immediate effect, and we will enter into emergency negotiations with TfL to develop an appropriate agreement and resolution to the dispute. I’m looking forward to it.”
Myra ButtJanuary 7, 2024 17:29
Tube strike canceled after RMT negotiates with TfL
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, said: “Following today’s further positive discussions, pay agreement negotiations for London Underground members are now on an improved basis and further significant sums for settlements have been secured. “Funding has become mandatory.”
“This significant improvement in the funding situation means that any planned strike action will be suspended with immediate effect and we will enter into urgent negotiations with TfL to develop an appropriate agreement and resolution to the dispute. I’m looking forward to that.”
Myra ButtJanuary 7, 2024 17:20
Sadiq Khan hits back after 140 strikes announced during his term
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said on Sunday: “Strikes are bad news for everyone and neither workers nor unions want to be forced to make the difficult decision to take industrial action. “Ahead of the pandemic and subsequent emergency funding deal In , the number of days lost to strike action had decreased by more than 70 percent compared to the previous mayor’s tenure.
“This is the result of a constructive engagement between Transport for London, the Mayor, his office and trade unions. This is an approach that Mr Sadiq plans to continue to take in London.
“The government’s punitive conditions on TfL funding deals and failure to engage with trade unions across a range of sectors have led to devastating strikes across the country. The cost of living crisis is impacting workers across all sectors. The added pressure is making the situation even worse.”
(EPA)
Myra ButtJanuary 7, 2024 17:03
£18.9bn Elizabeth Line halted due to strike
The newly opened £18.9bn Elizabeth Line will be partially closed for the duration of the strike.
The Elizabeth Line will not be calling at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street or Whitechapel during the following times:
These stations may also be closed all day at short notice.
TfL announced the closure as of:
- Monday, January 8th: before 06:30 and after 22:30
- Tuesday, January 9th: until 07:30
- Wednesday, January 10: Before 06:30 and after 22:30
- Thursday, January 11th: until 07:30
(Pennsylvania)
Bernie DavisJanuary 7, 2024 16:33
TfL asks passengers to only travel on strike days if travel is ‘essential’
There will be significant disruption to the London Underground network from 5.30pm on Sunday until the morning of Friday 12 January.
Other TfL employees working on bus, DLR, London Underground and Elizabeth line services are not affected by the strike, but these services will be affected by station closures at stations that are congested and also served by the London Underground.
One-way streets and queuing systems may also be introduced.
The route to the Emirates Stadium is expected to remain open thereafter for fans attending the Arsenal vs Liverpool FA Cup match. These services will end at 7:30 p.m.
Bernie DavisJanuary 7, 2024 16:02
TFL advises passengers to complete their journey by 5:30pm on Sunday.
Their website had the following message:
“The RMT strike in Tube is currently planned for early January.
“If the plans go ahead, there will be significant disruption to the London Underground network from the evening of Sunday 7th January until the morning of Friday 12th January.
“Sunday, January 7: Subway service will end earlier than usual. Please complete your subway journey by 5:30 pm.”
Myra ButtJanuary 7, 2024 15:37
British Hospitality has warned that the strike could cost the industry up to £50m.
UK hospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has warned hospitality businesses could be hit by up to £50m next week due to the RMT strike.
“With the strike dates affecting next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (January 9-11), which are currently key weekdays when commuters flow into the city, the industry will be affected by next week’s metro strike. We estimate the impact could be up to £1.50 million,” she said.
“And this figure is on top of the £4bn of lost revenue over the past 18 months that hospitality businesses have already had to absorb due to the ongoing transport strike.
“January is already one of the slowest months of the year for hospitality industry trading, where every sale counts, and this disruption will make this year an even more difficult start.
“All parties need to come together to find an urgent solution and put an end to this long-running turmoil.”
Bernie DavisJanuary 7, 2024 15:05
Trade Minister says Sadiq Khan is ‘weak’ ahead of new RMT strike
Sadiq Khan has been accused of failing to invoke minimum service laws to invalidate strikes over TfL services in a new wave of strikes.
Greg Hands, local councilor for Chelsea and Fulham, wrote on X: “Mayor Khan is weak. 140 tubes have struck him as mayor. And he has no intention of using the government’s new law to provide minimum service on the subway.
“And he promised us that in the run-up to the 2016 election, there would be “zero days of public transport strikes.”
“It’s time for a new mayor.”
The new regulations aim to ensure a minimum level of service during strikes, starting with sectors such as railways and border forces before being rolled out more widely.
The government introduced the new law after an 18-month strike by hundreds of thousands of workers, including nurses, teachers, junior doctors, civil servants and train drivers.
(Pennsylvania)
Bernie DavisJanuary 7, 2024 14:33
10,000 RMT workers to go on strike next week
London Underground workers are on strike, demanding overpay and downgrading of structures and travel facilities, according to the RMT.
Control staff went on strike for 24 hours on Sunday, and nearly 10,000 RMT members are scheduled to strike across the metro from Monday to Wednesday.
An RMT spokesperson said: ‘TfL failed to offer an agreement acceptable to London Underground members and this strike could not be avoided.
“While we do not take strike action lightly, we are determined to obtain a negotiated solution to pay, travel facilities and grading systems that means our members do not lose out.”
Union member: Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, in his office at union headquarters.
(Simon Calder)
Bernie DavisJanuary 7, 2024 14:00
RMT demands ‘moderate wage increase’ after refusing 5% increase
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) called on people to join the Kings Cross picket line on Monday morning as transport disruptions are expected.
The latest strike comes after last-minute negotiations over wage increases broke down.
TfL chief operating officer Glyn Barton said he was disappointed that the RMT had rejected its proposed 5% pay rise.
Bernie DavisJanuary 7, 2024 13:51