Hooray! London tube strikes in July have been called off

Londoners can all breath a collective sigh of relief. The upcoming RMT and ASLEF industrial action on the tube has officially been called off. 

The RMT previously promised to ‘shut down’ the Underground as part of a long-running row over pensions, working conditions and job cuts. But the strikes have been cancelled at the last minute after a new deal was agreed between TfL and the unions. 

Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser on the Underground, said: ‘After a week of intense negotiations, we have made real progress in making sure our members’ working conditions and pensions are protected from the impact of the Tory government cuts to Transport for London funding.

‘There will be no changes to pension benefits before the next general election and any future changes to working conditions and agreements will only be made by negotiation.’

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: ‘Despite the onerous funding deal conditions imposed by the Government we have managed to avoid industrial action.

‘Negotiation is always the best way forward and this shows what we can achieve by working with trade unions.’

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When were the July strikes taking place?

The tube strike was due to happen between Sunday July 23 and Friday July 28. 

Which tube lines would have been affected?

The industrial action was going to cause widespread disruption across the 

What about the Overground and the Elizabeth line?

The walkouts were not due to affect the Overground or Elizabeth line. However, a fresh wave of Arriva strikes are on the way after revenue protection inspectors voted in favour of industrial action last week (July 12). The dates haven't been announced yet but they will affect Overground stations Chingford, Enfield Town, Gospel Oak, Surrey Quays and Willesden Junction.

Why were tube workers going on strike?

The strike was part of a long-running row with TfL over job cuts, working conditions and pensions, which the RMT said could have led to the loss of 600 jobs across the network. The unions have now come to an agreement with TfL

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘There has been significant progress made by our negotiating team in Acas talks with TfL.

‘However this is not the end of the dispute nor is it a victory for the union as yet. Our members were prepared to engage in significant disruptive industrial action and I commend their resolve.

‘RMT’s strike mandate remains live until October and we are prepared to use it if necessary.

‘We will continue to negotiate in good faith as we always have done with TfL and it was only the steadfast commitment of our members in being prepared to take sustained strike action that has forced the employer to make significant concessions.

‘Our campaign to defend jobs, conditions and our members pensions will continue in the coming weeks and months.’

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