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It’s been well over two years since London’s rail workers first started striking over issues like pay, working conditions and job security. And while in recent months industrial action in the capital has mellowed (ASLEF voted to approve a pay deal and then called off strikes on November), the strikes aren’t completely over.
Over the Christmas and New Year period, there will be several smaller-scale strikes taking place across London’s transport network. These bouts of industrial action will target the Elizabeth line and ticket inspector services, and eventually national services that also serve London.
While a series of RMT strikes planned for Avanti West Coast services (including those arriving in and departing from London) over Christmas were called off, more industrial action has been called on that line for several months starting from New Year’s Eve. Make sure you’re aware of other closures and periods of disruption this Christmas.
Some industrial action in London is already underway. Here’s everything we currently know, from dates to which lines will be affected.
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All you need to know about the train strikes across the UK.
Find out how to get to London’s airports during strikes here.
When are the next London train strikes?
The next strike impacting transport in the capital comes from Compliance, Policing, Operations and Security Directorate (CPOS) staff, who walked out on December 12, 13 and 14, and will do so again on December 20, 21 and 22. You can find out more about the impact of these strikes here.
The Elizabeth line strike by RMT control room staff will be on New Year’s Eve, for 24 hours from 9pm on December 31.
The Avanti West Coast strikes will take place on New Year’s Eve, January 2, and every Sunday between January 12 and May 25.
How long will the London train strikes last?
The CPOS strike will last three days, while the RMT Elizabeth line action will last for 24 hours.
The Avanti West Coast strikes will last a total of 22 days.
Will the Elizabeth line be on strike?
Yes, in fact the purple line will be the only service with walk outs on NYE.
Why are UK train workers striking?
CPOS workers are protesting what they say is ‘an unacceptable pay deal’. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Our members keep London and its residents safe and sound on the TfL network.
‘Yet these vital workers are being undervalued and have been offered an unacceptable pay deal.
‘Unless TfL think again and come back to the table with an improved offer, London will see a fares free-for-all in the run up to Christmas.’
Elizabeth line control room workers are seeking improved holiday entitlement and better working hours: 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.’
Explaining the Avanti West Coast strikes, an RMT spokesperson said: ‘Our members have resoundingly rejected Avanti’s latest offers in two referendums and sustained strike action is now the only way to focus management’s minds on reaching a negotiated settlement with the union.’
Will strikes affect the Eurostar?
Eurostar is not expected to be affected by any strike dates. Find the latest details on the Eurostar website.
When are the next tube strikes?
There are currently no tube strikes scheduled for London’s transport network. The Elizabeth line – despite recently being named London’s favourite tube line – isn’t actually a tube.
Which London tube lines will be affected?
As above, there are currently no tube strikes planned.
Is the London Overground on strike?
Strikes on the Overground (recently renamed and re-coloured) last February were suspended. No more action is planned, though the orange line could be affected by the disruption of tube strikes.
How to get to London airports during the tube strikes
When tubes are out of action due to strikes, there are other ways to get to London’s airports. Network Rail services run to airports, while coaches frequently run from central and outer London areas by the likes of National Express. All airports are also, obvs, all accessible by road – whether you’d like to drive or get a taxi. Expect higher levels of traffic during strike days.
What do the government’s anti-strike laws mean for London?
A bill requiring striking workers to meet ‘minimum service levels’ was passed by the Conservative government in 2023. The anti-strike legislation supposedly ensures ‘minimum service levels’ on key public services, including trains, theoretically making it pretty difficult for things to grind to a complete halt.
In practice, however, the law was not effectively put into practice. And over the summer the current Labour government confirmed that it is rolling back the law, telling employers not to enforce it while it passes a new law to formally abolish it.
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