Thousands of London Underground station workers – who are part of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) – will go on strike on October 4 and 6.
They threaten to walk out due to an ongoing disagreement about job losses and safety concerns. Proposed job cuts, which the union claims will result in hundreds of job losses, as well as concerns about increased workloads, more employees working alone, and higher fatigue levels, are all issues of concern which impact safety.
The action on October 4 coincides with one of the dates chosen by the train drivers’ union, Aslef, for the next round of national rail strikes in a long dispute about pay and working arrangements.
The RMT has warned that the strike action will shut down Tube services in the city.
Threats to jobs and working conditions
Mick Lynch, the RMT’s general secretary, expressed that station staff are frustrated with the threats to their jobs and their working conditions.
He emphasised the importance of station staff in assisting vulnerable passengers and ensuring the safety of the Tube, also pointing out that the proposed job cuts and conditions changes may lead to more stations without staff, temporary closures and increased passenger frustration.
Urgent talks to avoid tube strikes
The RMT has called for urgent discussions with Mayor Sadiq Khan.
More than 3,500 of its members are participating in the dispute.
Glynn Barton, Transport for London’s chief operating officer, said: “Nobody wants to see strikes that will cause significant disruption to our customers and we urge them to reconsider and continue engaging with us.”
