When train and Tube strikes are planned in July 2023, and what they mean for London travel

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.

Both unions have been engaged in long-running disputes with Transport for London (TfL) over pay, jobs and working conditions.

When are the Tube strikes?

London Underground workers represented by the RMT union will strike on the following dates in July:

• 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.

Tube drivers represented by Aslef will also take industrial action on Wednesday 26 July and Friday 28 July over possible changes to their pensions and working conditions.

How will TfL services be affected?

TfL said there will be little or no Tube service between Tuesday 25 and Friday 28 July, and there will be severe disruption across the whole network on the other strike days. There will also be no Night Tube service running on Friday 28 July.

There are no strikes planned on Elizabeth Line, DLR or London Overground trains.

However, TfL said some DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth Line services may be affected by station closures where stations also serve London Underground lines.

Roads and all other public transport services will be extremely busy on strike days.

Will TfL services be affected by national rail strikes?

Both the RMT and Aslef are also staging industrial action on Britain’s railways this month. The RMT action is a full strike, while Aslef is continuing its overtime ban.

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The RMT strikes are on Thursday 20, Saturday 22 and Sunday 29 July.

National Rail said: “This is likely to result in little or no services across large areas of the network. Services are also likely to be disrupted and start later on the day immediately following a strike day. Passengers are warned to expect significant disruption and advised to plan ahead and check before they travel.”

Drivers represented by Aslef will not work any overtime from Monday 17 July to Saturday 22 July. This follows similar action that took place earlier in July. There will be another overtime ban from Monday 31 July to Saturday 5 August.

TfL said the RMT action on 20, 22 and 29 July “may affect some District line, London Overground, Elizabeth Line and tram services”.

You can check TfL’s status updates webpage for the latest information on all services.

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.”

Finn Brennan, Aslef’s full-time organiser on London Underground, said: “We take action only when needed.

“Unfortunately, the past 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.”

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.”