RMT Calls Off Tube Strike But ASLEF's Action Still On |
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Walk out by drivers expected to close London Underground for two days
November 1, 2024 One of the unions planning to strike on London Underground has announced that it has called off industrial action. The RMT was due to commence a rolling strike starting this Friday evening (1 November) and continuing through until 8 November. It has now confirmed that following ‘a significantly improved offer’, that staff will be reporting for work as usual. London Underground has said that no extra money has been offered as part of the settlement. However, a strike by tube drivers who are members of the ASLEF union is still due to go ahead next week with a total shutdown of the tube expected on Thursday 7 November. Another strike day is scheduled for Tuesday 12 November. On these days, other TfL services, including, the Elizabeth line, London Overground and DLR, are not on strike, but may be impacted by station closures and bus services are expected to be extremely busy. An RMT spokesperson said, “London Underground have sensibly abandoned their proposed changes to pay structures which now means all our members will receive the same value in any pay award. “Further discussions will take place next week regarding the pay offer but progress has been made which would not have been possible without the fortitude and industrial strength of our 10,000 members on London Underground.” The BBC is reporting that the ASLEF dispute is no longer over pay but the wish of the union to move towards a four-day week. Finn Brennan of ASLEF said, "We don’t want to go on strike, we don’t want to make travelling in and around the capital more difficult for passengers and we don’t want to lose a day’s pay. "But we have been forced into this position because London Underground management won’t sit down properly and negotiate with us." Claire Mann, Transport for London’s chief operating officer, said, “We are pleased that the RMT has suspended its planned industrial action on the London Underground network to allow further talks. We believe that our offer is fair, affordable, good for our colleagues and good news for London. “We will continue to work closely with all our trade unions, and urge ASLEF to also call off its planned action next week. If it goes ahead, customers should check before they travel as during their strikes there will be little-to-no service.”
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