Strikes by the RMT and ASLEF unions will affect services over four days

An ASLEF picket in London. Picture: ASLEF

March 8, 2023

Transport for London (TfL) is advising customers to check ahead of travelling during days affected by tube and train strikes later this month.

The industrial action by the RMT and ASLEF unions is expected to hit services on three days with limited or no service on London Underground on Wednesday 15 March with some disruption continuing the following morning due to ASLEF tube drivers walking out. The strike appears to have been deliberately time to coincide with the Chancellor’s Budget statement.

There will be a national rail strike on Thursday 16 March which, as well as impacting local train services, could cause additional problems on some tube services including the District Line as well as the Elizabeth Line and London Overground.

RMT members working for Network Rail were originally due to go on strike on this day but have now accepted an improved pay offer. This may reduce the expected impact on London Overground and the District and Elizabeth Lines.

South Western Railway will be affected by the strikes on Thursday but, previously, they have run a four train per hour service on the Hounslow Loop to serve local stations.

Some continued disruption is also likely the following morning Friday 17 March.

London Overground and Elizabeth Line services will be running on Wednesday 15 March but will be much busier than usual and queuing systems may operate. It is likely that they will be unable to stop at some tube station interchanges due to TfL staff being on strike. Buses will run as normal but also may be busier than usual.

On Saturday 18 March, RMT members from 14 train operators are planning to strike again. which is expected to make services still running across London busier than normal.

There are additional strikes scheduled by the RMT on the national rail network on Thursday 30 March and Saturday 1 April.

Following the cancellation of action by Network Rail workers, a Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said, "The RMT leadership's decision to put Network Rail's deal to its membership is a welcome development, but train operating staff will rightly be asking why their union continues to deny them the opportunity to have their say on our equivalent offer.

"Instead of inflicting more lost pay on its members and disruption to our passengers, we are calling on the union to call off their strikes and meet us for urgent talks to resolve this dispute."

Glynn Barton, TfL's Chief Operating Officer, said, “ASLEF and the RMT are planning strike action on the London Underground on Wednesday 15 March.  Strikes are bad news for everyone and we are encouraging them to withdraw this action and continue to engage with us to avoid disruption to our customers.

"Our advice for our customers is clear; please check before you travel as strike action impacts varying services throughout the week. Expect services to be busy and please allow extra time to complete your journeys.”

The dispute affecting TfL services directly is to do with union concerns about planned changes to pensions. Management says the review it is undertaking is mandated by the government and not proposals have been made and that any proposal made in the future this would require appropriate consultation and extensive further work.