Explainer

Tube strikes: What strikes have been cancelled and are rail strikes still going ahead?

The Tube strike has gone ahead after planned mass rail walkouts were suspended. Credit: PA

Tube strikes are going ahead, while a series of train strikes scheduled for November were after workers were given the "promise" of a pay rise.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) and the rail industry remained in deadlock over jobs, pay and conditions until the eleventh hour, when the strikes were suspended.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the rail employers had "seen sense", as the union prepared for "intensive talks" with Network Rail.It means strike days planned for Saturday, 5 November, Monday, 7 November and Wednesday, 9 November have been suspended.

However, an RMT strike on the London Underground and Overground is taking place on Thursday 10 November.

When is the Tube strike?

The RMT union is still planning strike action on the London Underground and Overground on Thursday 10 November.

There will be a very limited or no service on the Tube and a reduced service on London Overground.

Transport for London (TfL) has also warned of knock-on delays on Friday, 11 November.

People wait outside the closed Tube station. Credit: PA

Why are RMT Tube workers taking strike action?

The increasingly bitter dispute is centred on pay, jobs and conditions.

Unions are calling for a salary increase, saying workers are facing a real-terms pay cut and are increasingly struggling to make ends meet due to the cost of living crisis.

The following unions were involved with the suspended rail strikes:

  • Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT)

  • Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA)

  • Unite

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch. Credit: PA

The rail strikes were going to affect the following train operators:

  • Great Western Railway

  • Avanti West Coast

  • South Western Railway

  • Chiltern Railways

  • Cross Country Trains

  • Greater Anglia

  • LNER

  • East Midlands Railway

  • c2c

  • Northern Trains

  • South Eastern

  • Transpennine Express

  • West Midlands Trains

  • GTR (including Gatwick Express)

Could the strikes disrupt Christmas travel plans?

Earlier, new Transport Secretary Mark Harper had said he would be "very happy to meet the trade unions", a change of tone from Grant Shapps who refused to meet with striking workers.

He said: “The negotiations are obviously going to take place between the unions and the employers: Network Rail and the train operating companies," he said.

“But I think it’s helpful for ministers to meet trade union leaders and to listen to their concerns.

“I’m very happy to do that and my department will be reaching out to those trade union leaders in due course.”

But whether the new transport secretary's views and "unconditional talks" with Network Rail stave off potential action over Christmas remains to be seen.

Significant disruption is expected. Credit: PA Images

Can I get a refund on my ticket or change my journey due to strikes?

Passengers can change their tickets to travel on an alternate date, or get a refund if their train is cancelled or rescheduled.

In many cases, passengers with advance, off-peak or anytime tickets affected by the strikes can use their ticket on the day before the booked date, or up to and including the next day.

It is always best to check direct with your service provider if you are not sure of your rights.

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