A series of London Underground strikes are set to disrupt travel in the capital in July 2023.
The Tube walkouts involve workers represented by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), as well as drivers from the Aslef union.
They join a range of industries staging industrial action this month, including rail workers, school teachers and junior doctors.
When are the Tube strikes?
The RMT initially confirmed that its members will be staging strikes between Sunday 23 July and Friday 28 July, with the action pausing on Monday 24 July – so the walkout dates are as follows:
- Sunday 23 July
- Tuesday 25 July
- Wednesday 26 July
- Thursday 27 July
- Friday 28 July
The union said that it would be a rolling series of strikes, with different grades and sections of the Tube taking action on different days.
It added that hundreds of London Underground jobs are set to be axed, affecting Tube stations and maintenance.
Aslef then said Tube drivers walk out on Wednesday 26 July and Friday 28 July, coinciding with the RMT action.
Why are Tube workers striking?
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This week of action will shut down the London Underground and show just how important the work of our members is.
“Plans by Transport for London (TfL) to cut 600 jobs and attack our members’ pensions are simply unacceptable.
“We are aware that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has had the TfL budget cut.
“However, he needs to align himself with our union and his London Underground staff in pushing back against the Tory Government, exposing their damaging agenda to a key part of London transport infrastructure.”
Glynn Barton, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “We are disappointed that the RMT has announced strike action on this range of issues that we have been attempting to discuss with them openly and co-operatively.
“We are urging the union to reconsider and engage with us to discuss the issues and seek a resolution.
“There are no current proposals to change pension arrangements and, although we are discussing with union colleagues a range of proposals to improve how London Underground operates, no employee will lose their job or be asked to work additional hours.”
Finn Brennan, Aslef’s full-time organiser on London Underground, said: “We take action only when needed.
“Unfortunately, the last few weeks have shown that London Underground management are determined to try to push through detrimental changes – despite trade union opposition – if they think they can get away with it.”
He added: “To protect our pensions, working conditions, and agreements, our members are ready to act.”
Additional reporting from Press Association
