Is there a Tube strike tomorrow? How London Underground strikes this week affect TfL travel and dates in full
London Underground passengers are facing further disruption this week, with the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union launching strike action.
Tube workers have staged multiple days of industrial action over the past year, due to ongoing disputes over pay and working conditions.
Drivers’ union Aslef and RMT walkouts have previously shut down the entire Tube network.
Most Tube services will be severely disrupted or will not run on strike days, with no Night Tube on Friday.
Are there Tube strikes planned this week?
London Underground drivers and staff are due to strike for two days, as unions fight for better pay and conditions for their members.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union plan to walk out on Wednesday 4 and Friday 6 October.
Which Tube lines will be affected?
Transport for London (TfL) said most Tube services will be severely disrupted or will not run on the planned strike days.
Services are also likely to be disrupted the morning after strike action until about 8am.
There will be no strike action on the Elizabeth line, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and on buses and trams, which are expected to run a full timetable.
However, TfL has warned these services are expected to be busier than usual and the closure of Tube stations might mean some cannot stop at all stations or run to their usual destinations.
There will also be national rail strikes on Wednesday 6 October, affecting 16 train companies across the country.
Some services departing from London will be cancelled as a result of these strikes.
Why are Tube staff striking?
The RMT are locked in a long running dispute over 600 station staff cuts and “detrimental working conditions” since 2022.
Safety concerns have been raised regarding fewer staff facing higher workloads, more lone working and increased fatigue.
According to the union, the planned job losses “will affect every aspect of the Tube including stations and maintenance, leading to the likelihood of more unstaffed stations and a lowering of safety standards.”
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Station staff have had enough of having their livelihoods threatened by job losses and attacks on their terms and conditions.
“Station staff have a vital role to play assisting vulnerable passengers access the network safely and ensuring that the Tube is a safe environment for passengers.”
He warned that job cuts and poor working conditions would lead to “more unstaffed stations, temporary closures and rising passenger anger.”
Mr Lynch added: “TfL has had its budgets slashed but the savings made by these station staff cuts will be negatable and will lead to shortages that are unacceptable.
“This strike action will lead to the Tube being shut down and we call on Mayor Sadiq Khan to meet us urgently to discuss this matter.”
What has Sadiq Khan said about Tube strikes?
Speaking in September, Mr Khan said: “I fully understand why the RMT are concerned about the government conditions on TfL.”
“I’m always happy to meet members of trade unions, whether it’s Mick Lynch or other trade unions,“ but he said he would not be directly involved in negotiations as ”they’ll take place between the RMT and TfL.”
A spokesperson for the mayor said: “Under this government, we have seen an increase in strikes right across the country.”
The spokesperson blamed the “punitive conditions” placed on TfL by the Government during the pandemic and said pre-pandemic “Sadiq had reduced overall strike action on TfL services by over 70 per cent compared to the previous Mayor’s record.”
