Tube strike - live: London underground walkout cancelled after last minute TfL talks
RMT have cancelled strike action across Tube lines this week
Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts
Get Simon Calder’s Travel email
Strikes by London Underground workers which would have crippled Tube services this week have been suspended, the RMT union has announced.
The union have suspended their planned tube strike this week following talks with TfL.
Planned action from Monday to Thursday will no longer go ahead after RMT made progress in discussions with TfL today.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Following further positive discussions today, the negotiations on a pay deal for our London Underground members can now take place on an improved basis and mandate with significant further funding for a settlement being made available.
“This significantly improved funding position means the scheduled strike action will be suspended with immediate effect and we look forward to getting into urgent negotiations with TfL in order to develop a suitable agreement and resolution to the dispute.”
Londoners faced “little to no” service on Tube lines as strike action was set to cause severe travel disruption in the capital.
Transport for London (TfL) has advised customers who must travel on the London underground to complete their journeys by 5.30pm on Sunday as industrial action by striking tube workers was due to begin.
TfL says they ‘cannot afford any more’ and additional funds made available through mayor
TfL have confirmed that they cannot afford any more pay increases for staff, however they reported that the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan had been able to provide additional funds to enable discussions to continue.
A Transport for London spokesperson said: “Last week, we discussed our pay offer extensively with the three trade unions that had rejected it, making clear that TfL cannot afford any more. This remains the case.
“Today, we were made aware that the mayor was able to provide additional funds to enable discussions with the unions to continue. We have all consistently made clear that strike action is bad for everyone and would have a negative impact on the city as it recovers from the pandemic.
“This intervention from the mayor has been discussed with the unions, and the RMT union has now suspended the planned strike action.
“However, as the action has been suspended at this late stage, Londoners will still face disruption tomorrow and we advise all customers to check the TfL website or the TfL Go app for the latest travel information.
“We will now meet with representatives of all the unions to agree on the best way for this funding to be used to resolve the current dispute. We will also seek to meet as soon as possible with the unions representing TfL staff.
“We always strive to work constructively with the unions and avoid disruption to London.”
TfL: Services will be disrupted this evening and tomorrow morning after cancelled tube strikes
Transport for London released a statement following cancelled tube strikes on Sunday saying:
“The strike action affecting London Underground from Sunday 7 January to Friday 12 January has been suspended.
“Services will be disrupted this evening and tomorrow morning, and customers should ensure they check their journeys before travelling.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan reacts to cancelled tube strikes
London’s mayor Sadiq Khan reacted to the news of cancelled tube strikes in the capital on Sunday evening.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said:
“This week’s tube strikes have now been suspended. Londoners and visitors to our city will no longer face several days of disruption.
“This shows what can be achieved by engaging with trade unions and transport staff rather then working against them.”
Relief for commuters - and businesses
Simon Calder, The Independent’s travel correspondent, said the news the strike had been cancelled at the last minute would be welcomed for commuters and businesses alike. He said:
“This 11th-hour settlement will be greeted with relief by commuters – except for those who have already made alternative arrangements for the week – and businesses in the capital.
“Basically, I think that TfL has managed to find more money down the back of the sofa – and has conceded that its “full and final” offer of 5 per cent has some wriggle room.
“After talks broke down on Friday night, it appeared the chances of a solution had vanished – evidently, though, there was will on both sides for a settlement.
“Ironically, the restoration of the full Tube service will make it easier for members of the Aslef executive committee to meet in at the London headquarters of the train drivers’ union this coming week – during which it seems highly likely that more national rail strikes will be called for late January.”
A source close to the talks said that TfL had offered up to £30m extra to help resolve the pay dispute.
Tube strikes that would have crippled London called off at last minute
RMT have suspended their planned tube strike this week following talks with TfL. Planned action from Monday to Thursday will no longer go ahead after RMT made progress in discussions with TfL today.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Following further positive discussions today, the negotiations on a pay deal for our London Underground members can now take place on an improved basis and mandate with significant further funding for a settlement being made available.
“This significantly improved funding position means the scheduled strike action will be suspended with immediate effect and we look forward to getting in to urgent negotiations with TfL in order to develop a suitable agreement and resolution to the dispute.”
Tube strikes cancelled after RMT makes progress with TfL
RMT have suspended their planned tube strike this week following talks with TfL.
Planned action from Monday to Thursday will no longer go ahead after RMT made progress in discussions with TfL today.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Following further positive discussions today, the negotiations on a pay deal for our London Underground members can now take place on an improved basis and mandate with significant further funding for a settlement being made available.
“This significantly improved funding position means the scheduled strike action will be suspended with immediate effect and we look forward to getting into urgent negotiations with TfL in order to develop a suitable agreement and resolution to the dispute.”
Sadiq Khan hits back after 140 strikes announced during his terms
Sadiq Khan has hit back after Greg Hands, Conservative MP for Chelsea and Fulham, accused him of overseeing 140 strikes as Mayor.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London, said on Sunday: “Strikes are bad news for everyone, and no worker or union wants to have to make the difficult decision to take industrial action. Before the pandemic and the subsequent emergency funding deals, the number of days lost due to strikes action had reduced by over 70 per cent compared to the previous Mayor’s time in office.
“This is a result of the constructive engagement between Transport for London, the Mayor, his office and the trade unions. This is an approach Sadiq intends to continue taking in London.
“By the Government attaching punitive conditions to TfL’s funding deal and failing to engage with trade unions across a range of sectors, we continue to see disruptive strike action across the whole country. This has been exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis putting pressure on workers across all sectors.”
£18.9bn Elizabeth Line grinds to a halt during strikes
The newly opened £18.9 billion Elizabeth Line will be closed in parts throughout the strikes.
During the following times, Elizabeth line services are not expected to call at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Whitechapel.
These stations may also be subject to further short notice closures throughout the day.
TfL announced the closures at the following times
- Monday 8 January: Before 06:30 and after 22:30
- Tuesday 9 January: Before 07:30
- Wednesday 10 January: Before 06:30 and after 22:30
- Thursday 11 January: Before 07:30
TfL urging passengers to only travel on the strike days if journey ‘essential’
There will be severe disruption on the London Underground network from 5.30pm on Sunday through to the morning of Friday 12 January.
Other TfL workers on bus, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line services won’t be striking, but those services will be busier and affected by station closures at stations that also serve London Underground lines.
One-way or queueing systems may also be in place, it says.
Lines serving the Emirates Stadium are expected to remain open later to accommodate fans watching the Arsenal v Liverpool FA Cup tie. Those services will begin to wind down from 7.30pm.
TFL advises passengers to complete journeys by 5.30pm Sunday
Transport for London have advised those travelling on the London underground to complete their journeys by 5.30pm on Sunday as industrial action by striking tube workers begins.
A message on their website read:
“RMT strikes on the Tube are currently planned in early January.
“If they go ahead, there will be severe disruption on the London Underground network from the evening of Sunday 7 January through to the morning of Friday 12 January.
“Sunday 7 January: Tube services will close earlier than normal. Complete Tube journeys by 17:30.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments