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Despite some striking workers ending their disputes with employers, strikes continue to hit many sectors across the UK.
London Underground is the latest to announce more industrial action – set to have a major impact on travelling around the capital.
Tube drivers belonging to the Aslef union announced strike action in a vote by that saw a whopping 99% in favour of walking out.
The train drivers’ union Aslef says members in other roles – including Test Train, Engineering and management – will also take action on the same day, in the dispute over pensions and working arrangements.
Now members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) who work on the Underground are set to join them.
But when is the next Tube strike?
When is the next Tube strike?
Currently, the next Tube strike will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, March 15.
The action will last for 24 hours.
It is expected to affect all Tube lines – details of the expected impact will be released nearer the time, but Aslef is the biggest Tube drivers’ union.
TfL warns that ‘little or no service is expected on the Tube network.’
When Aslef members walked out on the Tube in 2015, it shut down the entire London Underground network.
Last year’s disruption on the Tube was caused by the RMT’s industrial action, so a strike by both unions is expected to have a major impact.
No other dates have yet been announced, but Aslef warns that unless progress is made, ‘this will be only the first day of action in a protracted dispute’.
The strike is also timed to happen the day before rail workers walk out, affecting 14 rail operators.
Strikes can be called off at the last minute, so always check with your travel provider before making arrangements.
More information on the affected lines and services can be found on the TfL strike webpage.
Why are Tube drivers striking?
Aslef organiser Finn Brennan said: ‘Members are not prepared to put up any longer with the threats to their working conditions and pensions…or to pay the price for the government’s failure to properly fund London’s public transport system.
‘Cuts to safety training have already been forced through and management is open that they plan to remove all current working agreements under the guise of “modernisation” and “flexibility” and to replace the agreed attendance and discipline policies.
‘Proposals to slash pension benefits are due to be announced in the next week.’
The RMT said that London Underground Ltd (LUL) has started to impose 600 station staff job losses.
Mick Lunch, RMT general secretary, said: ‘Our members will never accept job losses, attacks on their pensions or changes to working conditions in order to pay for a funding cut which is the government’s political decision.
‘Tube workers provide an essential service to the capital, making sure the city can keep moving and work long hours in demanding roles.
‘In return they deserve decent pensions, job security and good working conditions and RMT will fight and tooth nail to make sure that’s what they get.’
Nick Dent, director of customer operations at TfL, told the BBC that the transport authority had not proposed changes to pensions, and urged unions to ‘call off this damaging strike’.
MORE : All strikes planned for March 2023 – from trains to teachers
MORE : When are the next rail strikes?
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