It’s been well over two years since rail workers first started striking over around pay, working conditions and job security. And while ASLEF last month voted to approve a pay deal (and thereby end industrial action), today (October 3) we have unfortunate news.
The RMT union has just voted to increase its mandate for striking in London by another six months. Members working for the London Underground could strike to protest pay bands in the workplace, which could apparently lead to workers getting unequal percentage pay rises.
So, when could RMT members strike? Here’s everything we currently know.
RECOMMENDED: All you need to know about the train strikes across the UK.
When are the tube strikes?
No strikes have been officially called by the RMT, but the recent vote makes industrial action more likely. Watch this space.
Which London train lines will be affected?
Only London Underground lines are expected to be impacted by a strike.
When are the next London train strikes?
Now that ASLEF members have approved a pay deal, train strikes on non-tube trains in London are now unlikely.
How long will the London train strikes last?
A typical strike day tends to last for an entire 24-hour period. However, there could also be disruption on the day following a strike.
When it comes to other train lines, each operator is different. Check your respective rail operator’s official website to find out exactly how many trains will be running and how long the action is expected to impact services.
Is the London Overground on strike?
Strikes on the Overground (which was recently renamed and re-coloured) in February were suspended. No more action is planned.
Will the Elizabeth line be on strike?
There are no strikes currently planned for Elizabeth line services. However, services could be impacted by a tube strike.
Will strikes affect the Eurostar?
Eurostar is not expected to be affected by any strike dates. Find the latest details on the Eurostar website.
Why are UK train workers striking?
RMT workers are protesting workers not potentially all getting the same percentage pay increase. The union says this is due to changes to pay bands.
How to get to London airports during the train strikes
When tubes are out of action due to strikes, there are other ways to get to London’s airports. Network Rail services run to airports, while coaches frequently run from central and outer London areas from the likes of National Express. All airports are also, obvs, all accessible by road – whether you’d like to drive or get a taxi. Expect higher levels of traffic during strike days.
What do the government’s anti-strike laws mean for London?
A bill requiring striking workers to meet ‘minimum service levels’ was passed by the Conservative government last year. The anti-strike legislation supposedly ensures ‘minimum service levels’ on key public services, including trains, theoretically making it pretty difficult for things to grind to a complete halt.
In practice, however, the law has not been effectively put into practice. And over the summer the current Labour government has confirmed that it is rolling back the law, telling employers not to enforce it while it passes a new law to formally abolish it.
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