Tube strikes: Unions call off strikes as progress made

Londoners can expect normal service on the London Underground next week as unions call off strike action. 

It comes as the workers union Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) and drivers union Aslef confirmed strikes would be suspended. 

The strikes were expected to last for six dates and were over a long-running dispute over pay, pensions and conditions.

But now both unions said progress had been made in talks at the conciliation service Acas.

Tube strikes called off

Speaking of the strike action being called off, Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser on the London Underground, said: “After a week of intense negotiations, we have made real progress in making sure our members’ working conditions and pensions are protected from the impact of the Tory Government cuts to Transport for London (TfL) funding.

“There will be no changes to pension benefits before the next general election and any future changes to working conditions and agreements will only be made by negotiation.”

???? RMT suspends strike action on London Underground after progress at ACAS. @RMTunion has suspended all strike action planned for next week on London Underground after making progress in the pensions and jobs dispute. pic.twitter.com/S2SkPlF7VY

— RMT (@RMTunion) July 21, 2023

Whilst RMT’s general secretary Mick Lynch said: “There has been significant progress made by our negotiating team in Acas talks with TfL.

“However, this is not the end of the dispute nor is it a victory for the union as yet.

“Our members were prepared to engage in significant disruptive industrial action and I commend their resolve.

“RMT’s strike mandate remains live until October and we are prepared to use it if necessary.

“We will continue to negotiate in good faith as we always have done with TfL and it was only the steadfast commitment of our members in being prepared to take sustained strike action that has forced the employer to make significant concessions.

“Our campaign to defend jobs, conditions and our members’ pensions will continue in the coming weeks and months.”