London Underground workers set to strike again in October over job losses and safety concerns

A London Underground sign
A London Underground sign
PA
Holly Bishop

By Holly Bishop


Published: 20/09/2023

- 13:12

Updated: 20/09/2023

- 15:41

The strikes will take place on October 4 and 6

Thousands of London Underground workers are to set to strike on October 4 and 6, the RMT union has announced.

It is the latest in a series of strikes over over jobs and conditions.


In a statement, the RMT said: "The union has been locked in a long running dispute over 600 station staff cuts and detrimental working conditions since last year.

"Safety concerns have also been raised regarding fewer staff facing higher workloads, more lone working and increased fatigue.

An Oyster card is used at a tube station in LondonAn Oyster card is used at a tube station in LondonPA

"The job losses planned 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.

"These job cuts and attacks on conditions are going to lead to more unstaffed stations, temporary closures and rising passenger anger.

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Lynch understood that TFL has recently had its budget reduced but said that cutting staff will lead to shortages which is "unacceptable".

He urged Sadiq Khan to meet with him and the RMT to discuss the matter further.

The tube strike coincides with an Aslef train strike.

Train drivers belonging to the Aslef union will walk out on September 30 and October 4, which will result in the cancellation of thousands of trains.

Sadiq Khan

Mike Lynch called on Sadiq Khan to meet with him to discuss the matter

GB News

The strikes are timed to hit the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, which begins on Sunday 1 October – the day after the first walk-out – and ends on Wednesday 4 October, the day of the second stoppage.

Mick Whelan, Aslef's general secretary, said: “While we regret having to take this action – we don’t want to lose a day’s pay, or disrupt passengers as they try to travel by train – the government, and the employers have forced us into this position.

“Our members have not, now, had a pay rise for four years – since 2019 – and that’s not right when prices have soared in that time.

"Train drivers, perfectly reasonably, want to be able to buy now what they could buy four years ago."

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