Commuters across London are braced for severe disruption next month after the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) announced a series of rolling strikes on the London Underground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR).
The Tube walkouts will begin on Friday 5 September and continue for seven days, with different groups of staff striking at different times. The union says the action comes after London Underground (LU) management refused to address long-running concerns over pay, fatigue management, shift patterns and a reduction in the working week.
In a separate dispute, RMT members on the DLR will also strike in the week beginning Sunday 7 September.
Full list of Tube strike action
According to the RMT, the following groups will walk out:
- Friday 5 – Saturday 6 September: Ruislip Depot Operational Managers (6pm–5.59pm) in a separate dispute over pay parity.
- Sunday 7 September: Track Access Controllers, Control Centre staff, Power/Control and Emergency Response Unit (ERU) members (12.01am–11.59pm).
- Monday 8 September: Fleet (except Engineering Vehicles), Engineering, Stations and Trains staff (12.01am–11.59pm).
- Tuesday 9 September: Signallers, Service Control and ERU members (12.01am–11.59pm).
- Wednesday 10 September: Fleet (except Engineering Vehicles), Engineering, Stations and Trains staff (12.01am–11.59pm).
- Thursday 11 September: Signallers and Service Control members (12.01am–11.59pm).
Union stance
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the strikes were about more than pay alone, highlighting concerns about staff health and wellbeing:
“Our members are doing a fantastic job to keep our capital moving and work strenuous shift patterns to make sure Londoners get to their destinations around the clock.
They are not after a King’s ransom, but fatigue and extreme shift rotations are serious issues impacting health and wellbeing – all of which have not been adequately addressed for years by LU management.”
He added that ongoing disagreements over staff travel arrangements had fuelled “an atmosphere of distrust” between the workforce and management.
The union insists it remains open to negotiations but said it will press ahead with strikes unless a revised offer is made.
Impact on passengers
Transport for London (TfL) has yet to confirm contingency plans, but previous Tube strikes have brought large parts of the network to a standstill. Passengers are being advised to plan alternative routes and allow more time for journeys.
