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Have you enjoyed the past few months of London being blissfully strike-free? We hope so, because it might not last too much longer. Today (October 3) London Underground workers who are members of the RMT union voted in favour of taking action for another six months.
RMT members voted nine to one to give a fresh, six-month-long mandate for strike action while pay talks continue. RMT workers haven’t taken action in London since October 2023, having called off a potential strike in January.
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Why could RMT workers on the London Underground strike?
RMT workers are protesting workers not all getting the same percentage pay increase, which it says is due to changes to pay bands.
What’s been said about the potential strikes?
In a statement, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘Our members on London Underground are sending a clear message to management that they will not put up with substandard pay offers or any attempt to treat members unequally in any pay deal.
‘We are always willing to find solutions to industrial relations issues, but our members will not tolerate an imposition of any pay deal where members are not being treated equally or fairly.’
A TfL spokesperson said: ‘We are disappointed that the RMT has balloted London Underground employees over pay and conditions.
‘We have held a number of constructive discussions with our trade unions and have presented a pay offer. We are still considering their feedback to the offer and will continue to work with the unions to ensure that we reach a fair agreement for our hardworking colleagues that is also affordable and delivers for London.
‘It would be in everyone’s best interest to continue to discuss this without the threat of strike action, so we can work together to support London and the wider UK economy.’
Any news on possible tube strike dates?
No strikes have actually been announced yet – indeed, the mandate may well just be a tool to motivate the London Underground to give RMT workers a better deal.
The new vote ensures that RMT can strike for the next six months. However, we should have some notice, as unions have to give a minimum of 14 days notice before industrial action. Watch this space for updates.
In any case, at least the RMT is the only major union currently threatening strikes on London’s train networks. Last month ASLEF members officially voted to approve a pay deal, bringing two years of strikes by the union’s train drivers to an end. You can find out all about that pay deal here.
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