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London Underground strikes <FLASH> STRIKES OFF in September

London Underground train drivers have announced another network wide full stoppage strike for 24 hours from 21:30 (9.30pm) on Wednesday the 5th of August until the same time on Thursday the 6th.

If this goes ahead like the last one expect very difficult travel in and around London from the evening rush and late afternoon on the Wednesday, no service at all for Thursday with few services on later Thursday evening with likely some early morning problems on the Friday.

Any updates will be posted here.

If you are intending to be in London during that time you are advised to check regularly for updates.

UPDATE ON NEXT BATCH at the bottom of the thread
The 24-hour walkouts will begin at 18:30 BST on Tuesday 25 August and at 18:30 on Thursday 27 August.

So expect the system winding down on the 25th and on the 27th from mid to late afternoon, no service at all on the 26th and 28th, and relatively normal service on the Saturday. EXCEPT that the Saturday is the first day of August Bank Holiday when all normal travel rules go out the window anyway.

Sorry folks....

I appreciate the updates Nigel. As our trip approaches mid-August, I am checking here more and more frequently. Crossing my fingers that there won't be any strikes while we're visiting.

Posted by
16 posts

Thanks for the warning. We will be in London at that time. Always good to know what you're walking into.
Will have to check the bus routes as a substitute. I'll check for an update when it gets closer to trip time.

Once again, Thanks Nigel!

Leslie

Posted by
5311 posts

They usually bring out some additional vintage buses during tube strikes, but you can't be sure what route they are on.

Posted by
10344 posts

If it's not the French air traffic controllers, it's the London Underground workers.
Surely they're aware of the ulcers they're aggravating amongst travelers over here? (yeah, right)

Posted by
3938 posts

Thanks Nigel! We'll be there tomorrow mid day then need to get around (meeting up with some people in Islington) on Thursday. We'll explore other options.

Posted by
3938 posts

Whoops, I saw Wednesday and Thursday and missed the August...thanks Emma, I'll sleep better tonight!

Posted by
1912 posts

We will be arriving back in London after the Cotswolds on Aug 5, so it looks like we need to make a plan B for getting around.

Thanks, good to know!

Posted by
32523 posts

Update - there isn't an update. It has all gone quiet. As for what is going on behind the scenes, who knows?

Posted by
3719 posts

Susan and Monte, Pick up a London Bus Routes map when you get back into town. Using a couple of key bus routes, you can get all over London. Don't need the tube.

Have a look at this page:
https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/bus

In the left column, click on the box and print the map for "Key routes in central London". If you have a color printer, print 2 or 3 copies to take with you. Just whip them out of your purse when you come back into London from the Cotswolds to see what color line and Bus number you want to hop onto.

Posted by
1976 posts

Where do you find the London Bus Routes maps in London?

Posted by
3719 posts

Sarah, any train or tube station has the bus map for free. Also available at Tourist Information Centers.

Posted by
3719 posts

You can also use the London river boats to travel. Here's the link to the Thames Clipper Ships. Click on their river route map. You can hop on at Tower Millennium Pier near the Tower of London, and ride to Westminster (choose Embankment or Millbank Piers), or do the trip in reverse--Westminster to Tower Of London. You can travel from London Eye to Bankside. Plus many more destinations, such as Greenwich.
http://www.thamesclippers.com/route-time-table/book-now
They have a one-day hop-on-hop-off pass which they call a "River Roamer" which can be bought ahead of time for a discount: https://booking.thamesclippers.com/thames-clippers-tickets.html
Or you can just do single journeys.

From the TFL (Transport For London) site: "Oyster pay-as-you-go is accepted on MBNA Thames Clippers services and gives a 10% discount on all single journeys except route RB6. If your Oyster card includes a Travelcard (or you have a paper Travelcard) you will get a third off standard advertised adult and child fares. Just show your Oyster card at the pier kiosk or on the boat. Some restrictions apply."

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/river/about-river-bus

Posted by
1912 posts

Great suggestions! Emma is Citymapper app used with data? I always forget how those apps work. We will have all our data off on our cell phones to limit roaming costs. But, that sounds like one I want to have.

Another issue- daughter is have lots of trouble walking right now! So...wheelchair maybe part of our plan. So, busses sound like a better choice than the tube anyway.

Posted by
993 posts

Emma you a lifesaver with the app! Thank you so much. I think my entire London trip has been planned from your advice - we leave in a week!!

And another vote for adding data... I just added through ATT - it's not very expensive, like $30-60 (or $120) depending on plan... will be worth it to just turn it on if you need to check a map or something!

Posted by
277 posts

Wow. Dodged a bullet. We'll be in London from 25 July to 15 August except for four days that straddle the strike. Whew!

Posted by
4684 posts

Do not expect buses to be useful. Despite what TFL will be suggesting traffic will be gridlocked throughout central London all day, not just in the rush hours. I had to travel for a work meeting during the strike day this month, from Liverpool Street station to the Holborn area, at around 2:30 pm, and still had to walk the whole distance. There was a bus in very recognisable advert livery on the route I would have taken, which I managed to keep pace with the whole way on foot, not walking particularly fast.

Posted by
18 posts

On my first trip to London, we woke the day after arrival to a 2 day tube workers strike. Here's the deal. The buses will be crowded; many going where you want to go will just drive on by as they are too crowded to take on more passengers. If you can get a cab, the streets will be crowded if not grid locked. Since you are forewarned, plan those two days accordingly. You can stay within walking distance of your lodgings. You can get a good map and walk, walk, walk. If you're at all near a train station, get out of town. The trains should be running. I don't know about the boats, I just would not bank on them. Even after an after theatre dinner one night, we found ourselves waiting for almost an hour to get a bus. Be sure you have your Oyster card, buses no longer take cash. The good thing is that London is a great city to walk.

Posted by
1976 posts

Emma and Rebecca, thank you for your help. Unless there's a Tube strike while we're there, we plan to take the Tube (and a boat to Greenwich, perhaps) to get to most destinations. My sister wants to ride a bus just once to see what it's like.

Posted by
3719 posts

Sarah, you are most welcome. You and your sister will enjoy the bus ride. But, it's not as fast as taking the tube; just know that ahead of time. However, you get to see more. I recommend the number 15 bus, from Trafalgar Square to Tower Hill/Tower Of London. (Or in the reverse direction.) You get to see a lot of landmarks, stores, interesting buildings.

The other bus route I recommend is the RV1, from Tower Hill/Tower Of London, goes across Tower Bridge and makes a turn to parallel the waterfront of the South Bank of the river, Southwark, Borough Market, etc. Here is where you get off and walk around, go to the riverbank and enjoy restaurants, pubs, the view. If you do not get off there, you can ride RV1 all the way to Waterloo Station and London Eye area.

Posted by
1912 posts

I have a question about "trains" vs tube. With the tube strike, could we go to Hampton court for the day and avoid the tube? I 'm not sure of the difference, but somehow I'm thinking a train will be near Waterloo which is near our hotel. I guess I'm confused about that.

Posted by
44 posts

I'll be in London during the week in question. If we were planning a day trip out of London by train, how does a Tube strike affect this? Or does it?

Posted by
32523 posts

Lisa,

expect the trains to be busy, particularly in the rush hour, particularly in the direction of the rush. If the line you are interested in - you didn't say - is parallel to a tube line, or can be used in replacement, it may be very busy.

Can you walk to the train station you want? That may make the difference.

Generally it may be a good idea.

There has been no update by either side so I have no update. But we are now within a week

Posted by
44 posts

Thanks, Nigel.

Wednesday we were tentatively planning to go to Brighton. Our hotel is near Paddington I believe. We can certainly adjust our plans and leave when it's not the height of commute time, etc.

Any additional advise beyond checking the above website for updates?

Posted by
32523 posts

Paddington to Victoria is a bit of a hike, through Hyde Park. Maybe a 36 bus might help. I must admit that in 50 years of traveling through London I don't think I have ever been on a number 36. Hmmmm.

But the 36 does connect Paddington and Victoria. If you can get on, and if it moves at all. It goes down Edgware Road to Marble Arch, thence along Park Lane, and onwards into Victoria, so if the traffic gods assist it could be relatively fast, but I'd expect the roads to move like treacle.

Brighton should be nice.

Posted by
32523 posts

Paddington to Victoria is a bit of a hike, through Hyde Park. Maybe a 36 bus might help. I must admit that in 50 years of traveling through London I don't think I have ever been on a number 36. Hmmmm.

But the 36 does connect Paddington and Victoria. If you can get on, and if it moves at all. It goes down Edgware Road to Marble Arch, thence along Park Lane, and onwards into Victoria, so if the traffic gods assist it could be relatively fast, but I'd expect the roads to move like treacle.

Brighton should be nice.

Posted by
32523 posts

Here is the current official bulletin from Transport for London:

Potential Tube strike
The ASLEF, RMT, Unite and TSSA unions are
currently planning strike action next week, affecting London
Underground. If this goes ahead, Tube services will begin to reduce
from late afternoon on Wednesday 5 August. Tube journeys would need to
be completed by 18:30, and we would ask you travel earlier where
possible. There will be no Tube service at all on Thursday 6 August.
All other public transport services and roads would, of course, be
much busier than usual.

We will be issuing detailed travel advice to customers as soon as we
can next week.

Posted by
3938 posts

So glad we are leaving London for 5 nights starting on the 3rd...

Posted by
4 posts

I was in London during the last tube strike (about a month ago). Actually we just arrived in London and during the strike we traveled between Heathrow and a neighborhood in Southwark near the Elephant and Castle tube station. Some thoughts on how we dealt with the situation.

  1. Before you leave keep up on the status of the strike. You never know the strike could be called off. I suggest that follow the Transport for London site https://tfl.gov.uk/ If you are already in London it's a good idea to follow this site too.

  2. If the strike will goes ahead and you are traveling from Heathrow consider using the National Express bus service. http://www.nationalexpress.com It goes from Heathrow (Terminal 1,2,3) to Victoria station and points beyond. With one transfer at Victoria Station the bus got me to my destination in Southwark. I booked before I traveled and managed to avoid a lengthy bus line-up when we arrived at Heathrow. When booking consider time to clear customs/immigration. Line-ups are huge. We arrived at 11:00AM and it took over an hour to get through.

  3. Others have mentioned Citymapper the travel planning app. I can't recommend this app too highly. It is wonderful. Get it! Regardless if there is a tube strike or not. In his guide book Rick mentions "If you figure out the bus system you'll swing like Tarzan through the urban jungle of London". Citymapper is your ticket to figuring out the bus system. With it you can go anywhere in London. It's easy to use and features several options for getting to your destination (walk,bus, taxi, tub +bus, Boris Bike.....). One of it's best features is that it adjusts when tube lines are down (say during a strike or on weekends when they might be closed for maintenance). Get an unlocked phone and a SIM card and you are in business.

  4. Don't forget the Boris Bike for getting around London. They are very effective. If there is a strike traffic will be jammed and you will be able to scoot through very quickly. Citymapper will tell you where the kiosks are. In addition you can use it to determine the best route on quiet streets. There are way more options than you might think.

I had a great time in London. Overall the tube strike had minimal impact on my trip. It just gives you more opportunity to think/act like a local.

Enjoy your trip

Posted by
32523 posts

An hour or so ago I received this update from Transport for London -

The ASLEF, RMT, Unite and TSSA unions are currently planning strike
action later this week, affecting Tube services. If this goes ahead,
we expect the following:

Wednesday 5 August Tube services will stop running at 18:30, so please
complete your journey by this time and travel earlier if possible.
Tube services are expected to be exceptionally busy between 16:30 and
18:30.

Staff on the bus network, DLR, London Overground, tram and TfL Rail
services will not be on strike. All of these services are expected to
be much busier than usual.

Thursday 6 August There will be no Tube services all day. Extra bus
and river services will run, and all other public transport services
and roads will be much busier than usual. Please travel outside the
morning and evening peaks if you can.

Buses do not accept cash. Please use your contactless debit or credit
card or Oyster. Contactless is the same fare as Oyster. You can top up
your Oyster pay as you go credit or buy Travelcards and bus & tram
passes at around 4,000 shops across London. For the locations of
these, please visit tfl.gov.uk/ticketstopfinder

Friday 7 August A normal service is expected.

Posted by
3580 posts

Be aware that taxis may be scarce during closures on the London Underground. If possible, be within walking distance of sites or train station. Workers in Europe or elsewhere don't plan strikes around the schedules of tourists. Local people who need to get to work are even more inconvenienced.

Posted by
32523 posts

following on from Emma's and Swan's comments above, I would not expect cut rate prices on taxis.

Based on other recent experiences expect prices for Uber to shoot through the roof as they attempt to reward themselves for being of "service" to people who perceive they have few choices and will pay through the nose.

Posted by
32523 posts

At 6.30 am on the first day of the strike - going ahead.

The BBC interviewed a union spokesperson a few minutes ago who doesn't expect any settlement; there will be an interview with a spokesperson from Transport for London in under 3/4 of an hour.

If there is an update I will post it.

Posted by
32523 posts

Managing Director of TfL say that they won't meet during dispute - so it goes ahead.

Posted by
32523 posts

Updated at 10.15 am British time

Going ahead with strike.

TfL says
On Thursday, around 250 extra buses will operate on key London routes, and buses will be much busier than usual

Posted by
32523 posts

Can any of our readers who were in London yesterday or today relate any of their experiences?

Posted by
619 posts

My granddaughter travelled from Bristol to Beckenham in south London today. She went from Bristol to Paddington by train, by bus from Paddington to Victoria, and by train from Victoria to Beckenham.The bus journey from Paddington to Victoria took 90 minutes. apparently as much from increased traffic as anything else.

Posted by
5311 posts

It is a 2 mile walk between Paddington and Victoria stations ... not to say anyone would want to do this with bags etc or in the middle of a long journey, but it is an illustration of the time.

Posted by
32523 posts

TWO MORE

announced 2 hours ago:

London Underground workers will stage two more strikes in the dispute over night Tube plans, three unions said.
The 24-hour walkouts will begin at 18:30 BST on Tuesday 25 August and at 18:30 on Thursday 27 August.

Posted by
94 posts

We're arriving on Aug 26 at 1 pm, which means we're in the heart of the strike. I know I'm not the only one in this situation on their first trip to London! We need to get from Heathrow to White Chapel Station. According to the tfl.gov.uk trip planner, we can take Heathrow Express to Paddington. Then, we take the 205 bus toward Bow Church, except it can't serve stop 'M' Houndsditch (55223) towards Limehouse, Whitechapel or Tower Bridge whilst Hounsditch is closed for works. Buses use Leadenhall Street to rejoin route.

Do we just stay on the bus? Somehow it looks like we arrive at Shoreditch High Street where we take the Overground to Crystal Palace. There is apparently some magical way to get from Crystal Palace to White Chapel...but I'm confused.

Can someone help me out of my fog? This is not going to be fun trundling our suitcases (and yes, just carry-ons). Much appreciated!

(and thank you, kindly, Nigel, for posting these updates)

Posted by
1446 posts

Oh, wow! I didn't realize this would be an issue for us - we arrive on August 26. We need to get from Heathrow to Kings Cross. How do I figure out how to do this? Thanks.

Posted by
1446 posts

Just told my husband about this, and he's freaking out - of course, it could be settled, right? Is it possible to reserve upfront a limousine? if yes, does anyone have the names of services? Thanks.

Posted by
4684 posts

Sharon - take Heathrow Express (VERY expensive) or Connect (cheaper but slower and less frequent) train to Paddington, then bus 205 or taxi to Kings Cross. Are you staying in Kings Cross, or are you getting a train out of London from there? Traffic in central London on a tube strike day will be very, very bad, expect buses or cabs to move slower than walking pace for the whole trip. Leave plenty of time to get to Kings Cross, I hope you have not already booked a non-refundable cheap fare on a specific train.

Posted by
4684 posts

Come to think of it Sharon, if you are travelling to a further destination from Kings Cross, it might be worth abandoning the idea of travelling by train and seeing if National Express have a coach direct from Heathrow to your destination. Check very carefully and make sure that you don't book on a coach that passes through central London.

Posted by
4684 posts

Kay, the 205 bus goes all the way from Paddington to Whitechapel (one word). You can get an Overground train from various parts of west London to Whitechapel which will be running (but very crowded). However, there is not an easy way to get directly onto the Overground from Heathrow when the Underground is not running - I could probably do it with a combination of Heathrow Connect and walking or bus travel, but it would not be a good idea for someone new to London and with luggage.

Posted by
5311 posts

An alternative would be 285 bus from Heathrow to Feltham, train to Clapham Junction, then Overground to Whitechapel. This is the start of the Overground route. Under 'normal' conditions the journey time for this would be roughly the same as the Express/bus journey, but may be better in congested roads - and would be cheaper. The Overground though is busy all day whatever.

Posted by
94 posts

Thank you, Marco and Philip. The husband needs far more frequent stops than I do. Feeling a bit glum about all of this but it is what it is.

Posted by
1446 posts

Thanks Phillip. So you say one option is the Heathrow Express to Paddington and then a taxi to Kings Cross. Will it be hard to find a taxi under these circumstances? I have already purchased train tickets but they don't leave from Kings Cross until the 28th. As I mentioned, my husband is feeling very nervous about this and is suggesting we instead get a rental car and head into the countryside and forget London all together. I have all my hotels reserved in each of our stops, so this would mean redoing everything. I don't look forward to that at all but am not sure what to expect in London. I feel our only challenge will be getting from Heathrow to our hotel, but that might be big. The Heathrow Express will probably have a long queue (do you think?). Thank so much.

Posted by
32523 posts

NEWS:

It is reported that London Underground may be ready to delay their all night service - which is the main item that the Unions have been in dispute over.

The strikes are not off - yet - and watch this space and the twittersphere and the news....

Posted by
94 posts

Hope on the horizon? (I'm saying prayers.) In the meantime, does anyone know about the reputation of Blackberry Cars airport transport? Maybe they would know how to get around the downtown mess to get us to Whitechapel. www.blackberrycars.com (maybe Sharon and I can share a ride!)

Posted by
2252 posts

Nigel, you're the best! Thank you for all this most helpful information.

Posted by
1446 posts

I hope I didn't make a mistake - I reserved a chauffeur through Empire UK - anyone used them? They tell us they will definitely be there to get us. The cost is just slightly more than a taxi which is what we were going to take anyway. So, hopefully the strike will be settled, but we will be OK with this either way. Any thoughts about this?

Posted by
6 posts

I too will be arriving LHR on August 26 and contemplating the transportation choices to the City Centre if the strike goes ahead (already bought the Oyster card and planned on taking the tube). I had thought about the Heathrow express/taxi combination but have heard many great experiences using Uber. Has anyone used this service in London before??

Posted by
32523 posts

No I haven't -and refuse to on principle.

The problem people trying to use uber on a strike day - in addition to the dubious knowledge, skill, insurance and legality - is their habit of gouging passengers beyond what they thought they would pay. They have something that kicks in when demand is high, or they think demand might be high but isn't, where they gouge out the highest possible fare.

Minicabs and airport services like Just Airports (well received on this Helpline) agree a price ahead of time, when booked, and stick to it.

Real black cabs are not cheap but they have The Knowledge and know how to get around most obstacles without relying on a GPS sat nav, and know where the obstructions will be. And most of them will chat to you and tell you what you are seeing - worth it for the entertainment value.

Posted by
5311 posts

I can't get excited (or indeed worked up) by Uber in the UK as it is no more than a private hire vehicle and an app, of which there are a few others, most of which don't have demand-based pricing.

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks for the information on Uber - if it's this controversial I'll avoid it. May I ask if it's possible to walk from the Russell St tube station area to St Pancras to catch the Eurostar to Belgium? We have reservations for this on the morning of the 28th and are quite capable of walking if its possible. Thanks in advance for your help.

Posted by
2712 posts

Russell St. Tube to St Pancras Station entrance is about .6 miles. Easily walk-able if your luggage permits. Simple route - just walk north until you hit Euston Rd and turn right. In April, with our bus snarled in horrible traffic due to diversion on the Kingsway and risking missing our train if we stayed on board, we (two 60 year-olds) jumped out at Aldwych and guick-timed it with backpacks on. A bit sweaty, but otherwise fine and on time.

Posted by
94 posts

Bugger. The TFL site says: "Certain Tube trade unions have announced strike action next week. If it goes ahead, Tube services will be affected between Tuesday 25 and Friday 28 August." Just want to clarify...no tubes on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday AND ALL DAY FRIDAY? (I know that's what it basically says, but sometimes the timeframes can be different - such as Friday 8 am, etc.) Thank you!

Posted by
32523 posts

Kay,

to repeat what was posted higher up:-

The 24-hour walkouts will begin at 18:30 BST on Tuesday 25 August and at 18:30 on Thursday 27 August.

So from dinner time on Tuesday to dinner time on Wednesday there will be no service. It will begin to wind down a couple of hours before the start on Tuesday, and will slowly start to have some service on Wednesday evening - perhaps.

Service will be available in the morning an afternoon of Thursday before it stopping again around dinner time on the Thursday. No service on Friday until after dinner time, and then slowly.

Service on Saturday until they announce the next round of strikes or until London Underground backs off all night running and/or meets their other demands.

Is that clearer?

Posted by
32523 posts

Update from Friday morning - talks continuing very slowly, strikes still on.

Posted by
32523 posts

Official update from Transport for London,

Tuesday 25 August Tube services will run as normal for most of the day
but will stop running at around 18:30, so please complete your Tube
journey by this time and travel earlier if possible. Tube services are
expected to be exceptionally busy between 16:30 and 18:30.

Wednesday 26 August We will run as many Tube services as possible
according to how many staff sign onto their shifts. However, most Tube
services are unlikely to run at all and those that do run may only
serve some stations, and may only run for part of the day. Please
check our website and Twitter accounts for updates on what is running.
Extra bus and river services will run, but all other public transport
services and roads will be much busier than usual. Please travel
outside the morning and evening peaks if you can.

Thursday 27 August Tube services will run as normal for most of the
day but will stop running at around 18:30, so please complete your
Tube journey by this time and travel earlier if possible. Tube
services are expected to be exceptionally busy between 16:30 and
18:30.

Friday 28 August We will run as many Tube services as possible
according to how many staff sign onto their shifts. However, most Tube
services are unlikely to run at all and those that do run may only
serve some stations, and may only run for part of the day. Please
check our website and Twitter accounts for updates on what is running.
Extra bus and river services will run, but all other public transport
services and roads will be much busier than usual. Please travel
outside the morning and evening peaks if you can.

Saturday 29 August Tube services will run as normal and planned
engineering works are expected to go ahead.

Posted by
32523 posts

Talks have now been abandoned according to my sources.

Posted by
25 posts

We arrive at 6am on the 26th, what good luck for us. We need to travel from Heathrow to Victoria Station. This is our first trip to London so obviously concerned. Any suggestions? Probably will try the bus services. Thanks Nigel for the update.

Posted by
32523 posts

I've just had an update from TfL - the operators of the Underground - that the two strikes are expected to happen.

Stay tuned....

Posted by
32523 posts

FLASH:

the union UNITE has just announced their suspension of their strikes on the Underground this week. UNITE is the smallest of the unions involved.

Last week ASLEF suspended their action.

That leaves RMT and TSSA as the only two unions going ahead, for the moment.

RMT is the largest union involved and they have not announced a change of any sort, neither have TSSA.

Posted by
32523 posts

NEW FLASH - RMT union has also deferred their two trikes this week, TSSA yet to announce.

Stay tuned.

Posted by
32523 posts

Further details -

Tube unions announce new strikes for September 8 and 10 if talks which caused them to defer the strikes this week are unsuccessful for them. Further details soon...

Posted by
94 posts

jetchison...A couple others on this forum are also arriving on the 26th. Both of us bit the bullet and reserved/advance paid for airport car services to take us to our destination. Much more expensive than public transport but at least we're covered. We booked www.exclusiveairports.com. On this forum, www.justairports.com gets good reviews.

Posted by
1446 posts

September 8 - well that's not so great. We will be staying at Heathrow in a hotel the night of September 7 and wanted to go into London on the 8th to spend the day. Is there a recommendation for how to do this?

Posted by
32523 posts

This is a statement I have received from the RMT Union, in its entirety:-

RMT suspends this week’s action and puts on September strike dates as
talks over Night Tube make significant progress

TUBE UNION RMT said this afternoon that the strike dates on London
Underground this week have been suspended, with new dates announced in
September, as talks over pay, jobs and Night Tube have made
significant progress at ACAS.

The union has made it clear to London Underground that the union
remains in dispute and further strike action will be taken on the 8th
and 10th September. RMT has also made it clear that the union will
take further industrial action if there are moves to run test trains
or if there is any attempt to impose Night Tube operations.‎

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“Our negotiators have been able to make enough significant progress in
talks at ACAS over pay, jobs and Night Tube to allow us to suspend
this week’s strike dates. We have still not reached a final agreement
and as a result we are putting on additional strike action on next
month. In the meantime, the talks process will continue.

“I want to pay tribute to the union members who have remained united
and rock solid throughout this dispute. It is their determination
which forced LU to begin talking seriously and which has enabled us to
make the progress that we have so far.

“Our dispute is not with the working class of London and RMT is not
opposed to Night Tube providing it is introduced properly with safe
and robust staffing arrangements which recognise the substantial extra
pressures that this expansion will inevitably create.”

Posted by
94 posts

Be still my heart (hoping, hoping, hoping) for postponement of strikes. (I know, it's selfish to wish for my week to be strike free.) Waiting for the all clear flash, Nigel! (although I think we're looking good on our schedule regardless)

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks Nigel - very kind of you to provide us updates . This is very good news for those of us who will be in London this week. Let's hope that there will be a settlement to avoid any further disruption of service in September.

Posted by
5311 posts

They will have chosen 8 September because England at playing Switzerland that evening at Wembley.

Posted by
32523 posts

TSSA has suspended the two strikes this week. They were the final union involved in the issue to announce.

THERE WILL BE NO Tube STRIKE this week.

Come to London!!

Posted by
94 posts

YIPPEEEEEEEE!!!!!! (But am feeling sad for the days ahead when it might happen again for other residents and travelers) Nigel, I've always said you're the best!

Posted by
13809 posts

Thanks so much Nigel. I was wondering if there would be something that would affect my visit in Sept! I'll flip my Monday and Tuesday plans so I'm doing the stuff that is walking distance from my hotel that day and will see sights requiring the Tube on Monday. I so appreciate your updates.

Posted by
9462 posts

gosh!! now all those people who worried about august are okay -- and those going on those september dates have to start constructing alternate plans!! Congrats to some, and sorry to the others!

Posted by
32523 posts

UPDATE:

London Underground has just announced that it is postponing the imposition of the Night Tube which they had previously announced to start on 12th September.

They have not announced a new date.

I have just seen an interview with a spokesman for ASLEF, one of the two major railway unions, who has said that they now have no intention of announcing further strike dates as long as the ongoing negotiations continue to an acceptable conclusion.

I haven't heard from RMT or TSSA on that but I expect the dates that they announced for September will not go forward given the LuL (TfL) backing down.

Posted by
32523 posts

That's a very fair, balanced, and accurate article, Joel.

Posted by
32523 posts

FLASH

The September Night Tube strikes announced by the RMT Union, noted above, have been suspended.

So, no strikes on the 8th and 10th. Travel in comfort and peace.

(Just don't try to do it in the middle of the night) (yet)

Posted by
340 posts

Thanks Nigel. I hope that holds until at least the first week in October when I have to get back to Heathrow:-)

Do I still have to worry about a FGW rail strike? I have return tickets from London to Bath for the last week in September.