The London Underground is braced for a week of chaos next month as thousands of staff walk out in a fresh dispute over pay and working conditions.
The RMT union confirmed that a series of rolling strikes will begin on September 5, involving signallers, engineers and service control staff across multiple Tube lines. Drivers are not included in the action, but disruption to services is expected to be widespread.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said members were striking in response to years of fatigue, unsocial shift patterns and what they regard as inadequate pay. “Our members are doing a fantastic job to keep our capital moving,” he said. “They’re not after a king’s ransom, but fatigue and extreme shift rotations are serious issues impacting on their health and wellbeing – all of which London Underground management has failed to address.”
The union has rejected a 3.4% pay rise offered by London Underground, arguing that it falls short of inflation and ignores wider concerns about working hours. RMT balloted more than 10,000 members, with around 6,000 voting in favour of strike action.
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