A planned strike that threatened to bring the Elizabeth line to a standstill has been postponed, sparing thousands of commuters from travel chaos—at least for now.

Aslef, the train drivers’ union, announced late on Tuesday afternoon that it was suspending the first two planned 24-hour walkouts, originally scheduled for Thursday, 27 February, and Saturday, 1 March, following a revised offer from MTR, the company operating the line on behalf of Transport for London (TfL).

In a statement, Aslef said:
“Following a revised offer from MTR, which Aslef’s executive committee will consider tomorrow morning [Wednesday, 26 February], strike action on Thursday 27 February and Saturday 1 March is suspended.”

A Close Call for Commuters

The announcement came just hours after TfL had warned commuters to brace for major disruptions, predicting “no service” on most of the Elizabeth line, the UK’s busiest railway, which sees around 770,000 journeys on weekdays.

Posters were put up across stations, informing passengers of the looming strike and advising them to seek alternative routes. TfL had anticipated that only a “significantly reduced” service would run between Liverpool Street and Shenfield on the eastern stretch, while all other routes—including the critical Paddington to Abbey Wood section—would be completely shut.

The Dispute Over Pay and Conditions

The strike was part of a broader dispute over pay and working conditions. Aslef drivers had overwhelmingly rejected a proposed 4.5% pay rise, which would have increased the average annual salary from £72,465 to £75,726 for a 34-hour, four-day working week. Many drivers argued that the increase did not reflect the rising cost of living and the demands of their roles.

However, during intensive talks on Tuesday, MTR made an “enhanced offer”, which included a 1.5x pay rate for working on rest days—a key sticking point in negotiations.

Mike Bagshaw, managing director of MTR Elizabeth line, said:
“Following intensive talks with Aslef to resolve this dispute and avoid disruptive strike action for our customers, we have put forward an enhanced offer, including a 1.5x rate for rest day working with further improvements to terms and conditions.”

“This builds upon the original offer of a 4.5% pay increase and enhanced terms and conditions, which would have maintained some of the highest salaries in the industry.”

Uncertainty Over Future Strike Dates

While Thursday and Saturday’s strikes have been postponed, two additional 24-hour walkouts remain scheduled for Saturday, 8 March, and Monday, 10 March. Whether these will go ahead depends on whether Aslef’s executive committee accepts the latest offer during Wednesday’s meeting.

Commuter Reactions and Political Pressure

The last-minute reprieve has been met with a mix of relief and frustration among Londoners, many of whom had already begun planning alternative routes.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, had earlier called for an “amicable resolution” to avoid the planned strikes, warning of the severe impact on the city’s transport network.

One commuter, Sarah Thompson, who travels daily from Reading to Liverpool Street, shared her mixed emotions: “I’m relieved I won’t have to deal with the chaos on Thursday, but it’s frustrating how last-minute these decisions are. We need more certainty.”

Elizabeth Line: A Critical Artery

Since its full opening, the Elizabeth line—also affectionately known as the “Lizzie Line”—has become one of the busiest and most vital transport links in the capital, connecting outer London and beyond to the heart of the city.

The threat of strikes has sparked concerns about the network’s vulnerability to industrial action, with commuters left scrambling each time disputes arise.

What’s Next?

Aslef’s executive committee will meet on Wednesday to review the revised offer from MTR. A decision regarding the remaining strike days is expected shortly thereafter.

In the meantime, TfL has urged passengers to check travel updates and plan ahead, as further disruptions could still be on the horizon.

This is a developing story. Further updates will follow.