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RMT and Aslef members involved in dispute over job cuts, pensions and conditions
Londoners have woken up to widespread transport disruption due to strike action on the Tube.
Transport for London (TfL) is warning commuters of “little or no service” during Wednesday’s walkout.
RMT and Aslef members are involved in a dispute over job cuts, pensions and conditions. The RMT said the cut was a “political decision”.
TfL’s Chief Operating Officer Glynn Barton urged the unions to end the action.
TfL says all Tube lines are affected and the Elizabeth Line, Overground and DLR are partially suspended.
Tube station closures mean that these services “will not be able to stop at those stations”, and passengers wishing to use some interchange stations may not be able to do so either.
Tram and bus services are also said to be busier than usual.
Passengers are advised to allow more time for their travel and check the latest information. People are also being encouraged to walk or cycle if they are able.
TfL urges unions to call off strike, but RMT says its members deserve “decent” terms and conditions
Tube and Elizabeth line services are expected to resume much later than normal on Thursday morning due to the previous day’s strike.
National rail strike action is also expected to take effect in the capital on Thursday and Friday mornings, with revised Elizabeth Line timetables and possible disruption to DLR, Elizabeth Line and London Overground services.
TfL boss Mr Barton apologized to customers and urged trade unions to “call off this action and continue to engage with us to avoid disruption to our customers”.
But RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our members will never accept job losses, an attack on their pensions or a change in working conditions to pay for funding cuts that are a political decision of the government.”
He said the workers “deserve a good pension, job security and good working conditions, and the RMT will fight desperately to ensure they get that”.
In a statement, Asleff said: “We want London Underground management to accept that change must come by agreement, not simply imposed. If they refuse to do this, we have no choice but to take strike action.” Not an option.”
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “This government has committed more than £6bn since the start of the pandemic to support London’s transport network – how this money is spent is a decision of the mayor”.