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London train strikes are back: Elizabeth line staff will walk out on New Year’s Eve

Here’s what new RMT industrial action on London’s newest train line means for your NYE plans

Amy Houghton
Written by
Amy Houghton
Contributing writer
Elizabeth line sign, London
Photograph: Peter_Fleming / Shutterstock.com
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Elizabeth line staff who are members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) have voted to walk out for 24 hours on New Year’s Eve. 

Control room staff will take industrial action from 9pm on December 31 — the prime time that people will be heading to New Year’s events across the city. Although trains will still be running on the Lizzie line, the strike means that there are likely to be delays across the network. 

Members of the union had rejected a pay offer from TfL and are seeking improvements to holiday entitlement and a reduction in working hours. They will also be refusing to work on rest days or work overtime between December 5-18. 

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘Our members play a vital role in running the Elizabeth line and their demands for fair treatment on working hours and leave remain unmet. The current offer falls short, and our members are determined to secure a fair deal.’

There’s a chance that, like the strikes scheduled to happen in November, the union and rail operators could come to an agreement and the action will be cancelled. A TfL spokesperson said: ‘We encourage the RMT and MTR (the company operating the Elizabeth line) to find a solution to this dispute.’

Could the Elizabeth line soon be extended all the way to Kent?

The Elizabeth line is getting a new Japanese operator

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