November Nightmare: London Underground Workers Set for Extensive Strikes Over Pay Dispute

London Underground staff, including drivers, plan to walk out for a significant portion of November following the refusal of a pay proposal by Transport for London. The industrial action involves members from ASLEF, the union for train drivers, and RMT, which represents the majority of other Tube employees.

Political correspondent @alixculbertson

Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 3:

London's tube workers are set to walk out next month due to a disagreement regarding wages, according to announcements from two unions.

Industrial action is set to occur between November 1 and November 16, as train drivers affiliated with ASLEF and other subway staff represented by the RMT union have turned down a salary proposal from Transport for London (TfL).

Members of ASLEF, including drivers, instructors, managers, and engineers on the London Underground, are set to strike on four separate days between November 1 and November 16.

They also won't be putting in extra hours on various days, which varies based on their roles.

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Maintenance and engineering teams, along with controllers, emergency personnel, signallers, and fleet and engineering employees who belong to the RMT union, will partake in strikes on several days from November 1 to November 8.

• Engineering drivers and maintenance personnel will walk out on November 1st and 2nd, refraining from working overtime until November 8th.

• Track access supervisors and control center employees will strike from 6:59 PM on November 3rd to 6:59 PM on November 4th.

• Members of the emergency response unit will conduct a full-day strike on November 4th.

• Employees from the fleet, engineering, station, and train departments will engage in a full-day strike on November 5th.

• Signallers and service controllers are set to strike for the entire day on November 6th.

• Train drivers, trainers, and managerial staff will hold strikes on November 7th and November 12th.

• Managers will abstain from working overtime on November 3rd and November 16th.

• Engineering drivers will observe an overtime ban on November 1st and November 8th.

Members of ASLEF showed strong support for striking, with 98.8% in favor during a vote that saw a 68% participation rate.

Finn Brennan, the ASLEF organizer for the London Underground, stated, "Striking is not our desire—we don't wish to complicate travel for commuters or forfeit a day's wages. However, we find ourselves in this predicament because the management at London Underground is not engaging in meaningful negotiations with us."

He mentioned that the pay proposal from Transport for London (TfL), which includes a 3.8% increase and a variable one-time payment, would result in Underground operators continuing to earn less than drivers in other TfL sectors, despite working more hours.

He also noted that tube drivers are set to receive a smaller salary increase compared to other Underground employees.

ASLEF has accused TfL management of declining to engage in discussions on important matters, such as shortening the workweek and implementing compensated meal breaks, to standardize conditions for their drivers with those on the Elizabeth line and London Overground.

RMT chief Mick Lynch stated that the salary proposal from TfL does not meet the expectations of the union members and claimed it would force employees into salary ranges determined solely by the management, which he believes "compromises the rights of our members and the fundamental tenets of equitable negotiation."

"He emphasized that the union cannot agree to a pay plan that allows management to choose which members receive a raise and which do not."

"We are still willing to engage in discussions, however, London Underground needs to return with a thorough and unified proposal that honors the rights of every member. Until such an offer is presented, our planned strikes will proceed."

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A representative for London Mayor Sadiq Khan stated: "No one desires to witness strikes or disturbances affecting the residents of London.

"The mayor is calling on ASLEF and TfL to collaborate to prevent this strike."

Strikes on the London Underground have become a common occurrence, leading both daily commuters and visitors to resort to alternative modes of transport such as buses, taxis, cycling, walking, or driving. These disruptions frequently cause significant traffic jams across the city.

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