Londoners ‘will still face disruption’ after Tube strikes called off on eve of planned industrial action

Planned strikes which would have crippled London Underground services this week have been called off, according to a union.

RMT say the industrial action by its workers on the Tube network – scheduled to take place from Monday to Thursday in protest at a 5% pay offer – will no longer go ahead, after positive talks with Transport for London (TfL).

But TfL has warned travellers there will still be some disruption on Monday because the walkouts were called off so late.

The union’s general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “Following further positive discussions today, the negotiations on a pay deal for our London Underground members can now take place on an improved basis and mandate with significant further funding for a settlement being made available.

“This significantly improved funding position means the scheduled strike action will be suspended with immediate effect and we look forward to getting into urgent negotiations with TfL in order to develop a suitable agreement and resolution to the dispute.”

London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, said on X: “This week’s Tube strikes have now been suspended. Londoners and visitors to our city will no longer face several days of disruption.

“This shows what can be achieved by engaging with trade unions and transport staff rather than working against them.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “Today, we were made aware that the Mayor was able to provide additional funds to enable discussions with the unions to continue.

“This intervention from the Mayor has been discussed with the unions, and the RMT union has now suspended the planned strike action.

“However, as the action has been suspended at this late stage, Londoners will still face disruption tomorrow and we advise all customers to check the TfL website or the TfL Go app for the latest travel information.

“We will now meet with representatives of all the unions to agree on the best way for this funding to be used to resolve the current dispute. We will also seek to meet as soon as possible with the unions representing TfL staff.”

The current programme of strike action began in June 2022, with what the RMT said was the “biggest outbreak of industrial action in the UK since 1989”.

In November, RMT members voted to accept an offer from train companies for a backdated pay rise of 5% for 2022-2023 and job security guarantees.

UK Hospitality had warned the strike was expected to cost the sector up to £50m.