London Underground staff will commence a four-day strike later this month in response to their ongoing dispute over pay. The Rail, Maritime, and Transport union (RMT) announced the walkouts last week, citing better pensions and conditions as additional concerns. The proposed job cuts, which would impact Tube stations and maintenance, have raised further objections. Tube drivers represented by the Aslef union have also announced their plan to strike, specifically regarding pensions and working conditions. Their strike days coincide with the RMT’s, on July 26 and 28. Here’s everything you need to know about the dispute and its impact on passengers:
When is the strike action taking place?
The RMT has specified the following days for the London Underground strike:
– Sunday, July 23
– Tuesday, July 25
– Wednesday, July 26
– Thursday, July 27
– Friday, July 28
There will be no strike on Monday, July 24.
Which lines will be affected?
While more than 10,000 workers are eligible to strike, the impact will vary across different sections of the Tube network and different worker grades on different days. Details regarding the affected lines on specific days are yet to be confirmed.
What have union bosses said?
Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the RMT, stated that the strike action will effectively “shut down the tube” and emphasize the importance of these workers. He deemed Transport for London’s (TfL) plans to cut 600 jobs and target their members’ pensions as unacceptable. Despite the TfL budget cuts imposed by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Lynch expects the mayor to align himself with the union to challenge the Tory Government’s agenda and protect London’s vital transport infrastructure.
The full-time organizer of Aslef on the London Underground, Finn Brennan, explained that the union has joined the RMT strikes due to detrimental changes that would make it exceedingly challenging for drivers to manage their personal lives. Brennan highlighted concerns over changes to attendance procedures, sickness policies, and plans for “trains modernization” that would significantly impact the work-life balance and organizational efficiency of Tube train drivers.
How has Transport for London responded?
Glynn Barton, the chief operating officer of TfL, expressed disappointment in the RMT’s decision to resort to strike action instead of engaging in open and cooperative discussions on the contested issues. TfL urges the union to reconsider and enter into meaningful dialogue to find a resolution. While there are currently no proposals to alter pension arrangements, TfL is exploring various options to ensure job security and prevent excess work hours for its employees. The RMT has also announced that 20,000 rail workers across the UK plan to strike in July.
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