Tube strikes: Transport for London warns of travel chaos TOMORROW as Underground workers stage massive walkout
COMMUTERS have been warned to expect travel chaos tomorrow with London Underground workers set to stage a massive walkout.
Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers to avoid travelling on Monday unless necessary as the RMT trade union is set to take strike action.
While some train services will operate, TfL is expecting severe disruption across the Underground network from the start of service on Monday until 8pm on June 7.
Many stations, especially those in central and south London, are expected to be closed.
It’s thought some stations that can be opened, may only be open for a limited time with the situation likely to change throughout the day, due to whether or not TfL has enough staff to safely keep stations open.
Anyone who cannot avoid travelling on Monday is advised to travel after 8am, if possible, and to complete journeys by 6pm.
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On Tuesday, its expected some stations may still be closed at the start of the day.
TfL added: "Please allow more time for journeys and check before travelling."
London buses will run as normal throughout the planned industrial action.
The recently opened Elizabeth line will run from 7am, although some stations may be served earlier, until 11pm.
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TfL is advising customers to check before travelling.
Other services run by TfL, including the DLR, London Overground and Trams are not affected by the strike action and will run as normal although the service is expected to be busier than usual.
The RMT called the strike action as part of an ongoing dispute between TfL and the union over pensions, jobs and conditions.
Both sides met at the conciliation service ACAS earlier this week and while no resolution was reached, there are hopes for further talks.
As part of previous funding agreements, the Government has required TfL to work towards achieving financial sustainability by April 2023.
TfL has proposed not recruiting around 500 to 600 posts as they become vacant.
Andy Lord, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “I’d like to apologise to London for the impact this strike will have on journeys tomorrow and on Tuesday morning.
“We know it’s going to be damaging to London and the economy at a time when public transport is playing a crucial role in the capital’s recovery.
“While our focus is always on helping everyone travel around London whenever they want, the expected impact of the RMT’s action means we have to advise people to only travel tomorrow if necessary, as many stations may be closed.
“Alternatives to the Tube, including the bus and rail networks, are likely to be much busier than usual and we expect the severe disruption caused by this strike to continue into the morning of Tuesday 7 June.
“No changes have been proposed to pensions and nobody has or will lose their job as a result of the proposals we have set out. My message to the RMT is this - it’s not too late to call off tomorrow’s strike action.
“Working with us to find a resolution is the best course of action, avoiding the disruption this strike will cause to Londoners and the economy.”
General secretary Mick Lynch said: “We are demanding a direct face-to-face meeting with Mayor Sadiq Khan to sort this mess out.
“There’s no point in our union continuing to sit opposite management representatives who have neither the inclination nor the authority to negotiate a settlement, when the power lies with the Mayor.”
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The RMT has said it will continue to take other forms of action, short of a strike, meaning station staff might refuse to work overtime, until July 10 which could impact on some journeys on the Tube.
Anyone needing to travel on Monday is advised to use TfL’s real-time travel tools which will give status updates – Journey Planner and TfL Go.
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