Upcoming tube strike dates announced -now SUSPENDED

I heard about the tube driver strike this evening. I'm scheduled to land at Heathrow at 7:45 PM. If all goes as before, I will be on the Piccadilly Line by 8:30 and somewhere around Hammersmith by 9 if the drivers actually stop at 9. I can then switch to the district line to Earl's Court.

Will there be an alternate? Or am I forced to take the Heathrow Express?

Nigel, do strikes like this happen in March/April or is it specifically planned for warmer weather months or popular times of the year when major events are taking place? The last week of Wimbledon will be happening during this upcoming strike which is why I ask. Thanks.

Will there be an alternate? Or am I forced to take the Heathrow
Express?

Heathrow Connect is an option -- much cheaper than a last minute ticket on Heathrow Express.

"coincidentally during the fine visit of that nice old man from overseas"
Nigel, it's my understanding that the Tube has always been closed the afternoon of Dec 24 and all day on the 25th.

Cala are you paying attention??

The old man IS NOT St. Nick. The dates Nigel mentioned are in July and the clue to the old man from overseas identity would be orange hair.

Claudia, I was trying to give us something to smile about and the white beard is a much better look than the orange hair.

Nigel,

I am flying into LHR on July 12th at 10:45 PM. My plan is to stay at the Premier Inn T4. Is T4 on the Piccadilly Line? Not only am I worried about getting to T4 late at night, I am also worried about the traffic the following morning (13th). My brother (coming from Cambridge) will be meeting us at Heathrow and we plan to visit Hampton Court that day. I am seriously thinking about cancelling the hotel at T4 and changing my plans and having someone just meet me at LHR when we land. In your opinion, how much disruption is this going to cause around Heathrow? The M25 is a nightmare anyhow - but I can always do Hampton Court another day.

Cala apologies. Missed your attempt at humor.

Cala, that was hilarious!!!!

Mpaulynn--what terminal are you flying into?

Between terminals it is best to take either the Heathrow Express or Heathrow Connect because it is free. If you took the tube between terminals you would have to pay.

R-O-F-L ..... love it

Terminal 3. As much as I have used Heathrow I have never had to go to Terminal 4. Now I see I have to use the inter terminal travel (TFL rail) transfer service. Does it run 24 hours?

One thing about traveling to Europe that can be a royal pain in the rear is having a strike affect your transportation.

Glad public employees can't do this in the USA.

geovagriffith,

You said, "Glad public employees can't do this in the USA."

I appreciate that strikes are inconvenient to tourists - even more to local commuters.

But if you can't withdraw your labour - always a last resort after negotiations have failed - how else does the union achieve their members' needs? Aren't your hands tied and the employer can do anything they want?

Public employees in the US can’t strike? That is news to me. At least in Pittsburgh the transit workers can strike, although it’s very rare. The last stike was in 1992.

Just want to keep an eye on this post - pls keep us updated (or is there a link?)...we have to get from Hammersmith to LHR on the morning of July 14...le sigh.

Emma asked the reason for this strike.

I've just seen a bulletin about it. According to the RMT (one of the unions) it is about the refusal of management to address long running concerns of ripping up agreements, bullying, and lack of drivers with consequent unacceptable staffing levels on the night tube. The union would prefer to settle without the strike.

Interestingly there is a pending strike over similar issues on the Jubilee Line. That one has been suspended after protracted talks.

I was an attorney for the Federal Government and handled some personnel and labor issues.

US Government employees cannot strike because their salary and benefits are provided by Federal Law.

There is collective bargaining between unions and government, but it only pertains to work conditions and to some employees, issues like fire fighters receiving certain equipment, etc.

Some states may allow there employee unions to strike. That still does not happen very much.

Me too, (Germany just lost a shocker to a minnow BTW and have been ejected), football and World Cup are much more important in the scheme of things than just yet another visiting foreign leader.

Piccadilly Line strike called off. Or more accurately suspended.

So if they are suspended, does that mean they won't all of a sudden strike tomorrow? We need Piccadilly to get to LHR Sat morning and need to figure out an alternative if so.