Tube strikes: Londoners warned to expect five days of chaos

Londoners are being warned to expect five days of travel chaos over the next fortnight because of Tube strikes.

Members of ASLEF and the RMT are staging 11 days of industrial action in a pay dispute.

Transport bosses expect 'severe disruption' or no trains at all on five of the strike days.

London Underground has offered workers an average pay rise of 4.6%, backdated to April.

The RMT rejected the proposal as 'wholly inadequate' while ASLEF accused Tube managers of failing to negotiate.

Industrial action by control room staff on Sunday November 1st will see some lines shutting early.

More severe disruption is expected on Tuesday November 5th when station staff and drivers belonging to the RMT walk out for 24 hours.

Another all-day strike by signallers and line controllers on Wednesday November 6th will have a similar impact.

The entire Underground network is likely to come to a standstill on Thursday November 7th when drivers belonging to ASLEF strike alongside station staff and drivers from the RMT.

Friday November 8th will see more disruption - including to the Night Tube - when signallers and controllers stage a second 24-hour strike.

Another ASLEF drivers' strike on Tuesday November 12th will again cause severe disruption but trains may operate.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “London Underground’s pay offer falls short of what our members deserve."

He added: "It threatens to remove collective bargaining for a growing portion of staff, pushing them into pay bands that are decided solely by management.

"This undermines our members’ rights and the core principles of fair negotiation."

Finn Brennan, ASLEF’s LU negotiator said: "ASLEF members have been extremely patient as talks have dragged on – with no real progress – for months on end.

He added: "Sadly, it is clear, once again, that Underground management will only get serious about reaching a settlement if there is the prospect of strike action."

A TfL spokesperson said: "We have held several constructive discussions with our trade unions and, after considering their feedback, have made a revised offer with an average uplift of 4.6 per cent, which rewards our staff for their hard work and benefits the lowest-paid staff the most."

A day by day guide to next week's strikes

TFL has said it expects disruption on Tube services on the following days: Sunday 3 November, Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 November, and Tuesday 12 November.

Sunday 3 November

Tube services will finish earlier than normal. People are advised to complete their journey by 5pm.

Monday 4 November

Normal service

Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 November

Severe disruption. Any services that do run will start late and finish early.

Thursday 7 November

No Tube services

Piccadilly Line tube trains parked up at a depot near Boston Manor Tube station. Credit: PA

Friday 8 November

Severe disruption on the Tube, including Night Tube. Any services that run will start late and finish early.

Saturday 9 November

Tube services will start late

Sunday 10 and Monday 11 NovemberThe Tube will run as normal, but some services may be affected by planned works on the London Overground between Willesden Junction and Clapham Junction.

Tuesday 12 NovemberSevere disruption on the Tube. Any services that run will start late and finish early.


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