London Underground drivers have called off plans to carry out strikes on the Tube network just days before they were supposed to start.
Train drivers’ union Aslef announced on Tuesday (5 November) that they were suspending strike action due to take place on 7 and 12 November across the London Underground after new negotiations and an “improved offer” from transport bosses.
The announcement comes just days after the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) declared it would no longer be going ahead with their strikes that were planned to start on 1 November.
After a period of strike-free travel on the London Underground, Aslef and the RMT both announced strikes last month over a pay dispute and subsequent “inadequate” pay offers during negotiations.
The last strike to affect the entire Tube network was in March 2023 over pensions and working conditions, grinding London transport to a halt as traffic jams spread across the city and buses, trams, the Overground, DLR and the Elizabeth line became increasingly busier.
It appears that similar travel chaos has been avoided this time, as both unions have walked back on plans to strike that would have severely disrupted journeys on various days during November on the Tube, as well as having a knock-on effect on National Rail trains, buses, trams and roads in the city.
Here’s everything we know about the called-off strikes and what this means for TfL passengers.
Will November action still take place?
Transport for London (TfL) has advised that “the strikes planned on the Tube on Thursday 7 and Tuesday 12 November have been suspended.
“London Underground services will now run as normal on those days.”
Why were strikes planned?
Both train unions said their members were striking due to a dispute over pay, as well as other issues such as long hours and other workers’ reliefs such as paid meals.
RMT said it was prompted to take strike action after rejecting a pay deal, which it deemed as “wholly inadequate” that leaves a large number of staff excluded from collective bargaining, which is negotiations between employees and employers.
After “repeatedly urging” London Underground to offer a new deal to cover collective bargaining, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said they have been left with no choice but to take strike action but…
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