In “last-ditch” negotiations with Transport for London, Tube driver strikes are expected to take place on Tuesday, according to standard.co.uk .
It is recommended that commuters complete their trips on Tuesday at noon should the talks fail and industrial action occur. Strikes, they say, are likely to affect the entire subway system and could begin earlier than expected..
In protest of plans to eliminate Night Tube drivers’ pay grade, members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will stage a series of 24-hour walkouts starting on August 3.
Strikes are scheduled from 12 p.m. on Tuesday to 12 p.m. on Wednesday. There will be three more 24-hour walkouts scheduled for August 5, 24, and 26.
As a result, TfL is urging commuters to allow extra time for their journey and consider walking or cycling.
As of Monday morning, the RMT will be participating in last-ditch negotiations in an effort to find a resolution to the dispute.
“We believe that there is a deal to be done which recognises the work-life balance and job security of our members and we are entering the re-convened talks this morning in a positive frame of mind and we take it that LU Management also will be up for a constructive solution to this dispute. RMT’s executive has been put on standby for any developments emerging from the ACAS talks later today and we will be issuing further updates in due course.”
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch
The last thing London needs
Keith Prince, GLA Conservatives transport spokesman, said: “A four-day Tube strike over the summer is the last thing London needs. It will cause massive disruption to Londoners’ lives and grind our city’s recovery to a halt.
“The Mayor has one job to help London recover from Covid – get our city moving again. We desperately need to encourage commuters and tourists back into the capital, but his failure to reach an agreement with RMT risks keeping people away. This damaging industrial action couldn’t come at a worse time.”
If there is no breakthrough by Monday afternoon, TfL is preparing to issue updated travel advice.
No job losses will occur on the Night Tube after it was suspended at the start of the pandemic, according to a statement from the company.
Drivers of the Night Tube, many of whom worked part-time, now have the opportunity to work full-time.
Source: standard.co.uk