London Underground strikes: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Labour union action disrupting travel}} |
{{Short description|Labour union action disrupting travel}} |
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{{Article for deletion/dated|page=London Underground strikes|timestamp=20221121142853|year=2022|month=November|day=21|substed=yes|help=off}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}} |
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{{Use British English|date=March 2017}} |
{{Use British English|date=March 2017}} |
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{{update|date=December 2016}} |
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[[File:October 4th Tube Strike (5050071047).jpg|thumb|Tube Strike sign at Paddington.]] |
[[File:October 4th Tube Strike (5050071047).jpg|thumb|Tube Strike sign at Paddington.]] |
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'''London Underground strikes''' are an intermittent part of life in the capital of the United Kingdom. Described as "one of Britain's most strike-prone industries",<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Darlington |first=Ralph |date=24–27 August 2009 |title=RMT Strike Activity on London Underground: Incidence, Dynamics and Causes |url=http://www.ilera-directory.org/15thworldcongress/files/papers/Track_2/Poster/CS1W_33_DARLINGTON.pdf |journal=15th International Industrial Relations Association Conference |via=International Labour and Employment Relations Association (ILERA)}}</ref> the [[London Underground]] has been subject to travel disruption due to industrial action organised by the [[National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers]] (RMT), ASLEF and other unions, in response to disputes over job reductions, pensions, pay, safety, and working conditions. |
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[[London Underground]] employees organised by the [[National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers]] (RMT) and [[Transport Salaried Staffs' Association]] (TSSA) have had a number of disputes with both [[London Underground]] and privatised contractors including [[Metronet (British infrastructure company)|Metronet]] and [[Tube Lines]]<ref>Train drivers' union [[ASLEF]] represents London Underground train drivers, and has co-ordinated disputes with the RMT</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2290700.stm |title=England | Second Tube strike hits London |publisher=BBC News |date=2002-10-02 |accessdate=2014-03-13}}</ref> over pay, safety, pensions and job security, leading to travel disruption in the capital.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6977260.stm |title=Tube strike causes travel chaos |publisher=BBC News |date=2007-09-04 |accessdate=2014-03-13}}</ref> Due to the disruption this causes, the usage of both driverless trains and retired train drivers have been suggested as solutions to keep services running on strike days.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/oct/09/driverless-tube-trains-unveiled-union-suspends-strike|title = Potentially driverless tube trains unveiled as union suspends strike|date = 9 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/The-Sleepers-Daily-Blog/use-retired-workers-to-bust-tube-strike-gla-conservatives|title = 'Use retired workers to bust Tube strike' – GLA Conservatives}}</ref> |
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As of 21 July 2023, London Underground strikes were called off after originally being planned for the following week.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lydall |first=Ross |date=21 July 2023 |title=Tube strikes are OFF after unions secure concessions from TfL |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/london-tube-underground-strike-next-week-dates-cancellations-talks-stop-aslef-rmt-b1095904.html |access-date=2023-07-21}}</ref> |
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==Public opinion== |
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In two separate polls, the [[Evening Standard]] found that a large majority of Londoners were in favour of making it more difficult for Tube workers to strike. In the first poll in 2013, 59% agreed that it was too easy for them to go on strike and 14% disagreed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Londoners call for Tube strikes to be outlawed in exclusive poll |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/londoners-call-for-tube-strikes-to-be-outlawed-in-exclusive-poll-8572776.html}}</ref> In the second poll in 2014, 56% were in favour of banning Tube strikes unless 50% of eligible union members voted in favour of a strike.<ref>{{cite news |title=Londoners back Tube strike rule change, poll reveals |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/londoners-back-tube-strike-rule-change-poll-reveals-9355049.html}}</ref> A poll for [[LBC]] radio found that 65% of people in London did not support the current tube strikes and 16% said they supported them.<ref>{{cite web |title=Londoners oppose Tube strikes |url=http://www.lbc.co.uk/londoners-oppose-tube-strikes-30049 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307200533/http://www.lbc.co.uk/londoners-oppose-tube-strikes-30049# |archive-date=7 March 2016 |access-date=16 August 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Among the general population, 46% said the August 2015 strikes were unjustified whereas 19% said they were justified according to a YouGov poll.<ref>{{cite web |title=London Tube Strike |url=https://yougov.co.uk/news/2015/08/07/night-working-london-tube-strike-alzheimers/}}</ref> |
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Strikes are planned for the week beginning 4 November 2024. |
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== Background == |
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[[Transport for London]] is the umbrella government body that operates the [[London Underground]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dawood |first=Sarah |date=13 July 2021 |title=Is TfL proof that public transport should be run by government? |work=The New Statesman |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/2021/07/tfl-proof-public-transport-should-be-run-government |access-date=2022-12-08}}</ref> through its subsidiary, London Underground Limited (LUL).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Subsidiary companies |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/how-we-work/corporate-governance/subsidiary-companies |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Transport for London}}</ref> |
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The largest union of Tube workers is the RMT. The others are the [[Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen|Aslef]], the train drivers' union, and the TSSA, the [[Transport Salaried Staffs' Association]].<ref name=":5" /> |
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==Public response and impact== |
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The Tube strike on 10 November 2022 may have cost London's economy £14 million in lost output, according to the [[Centre for Economics and Business Research]]. An estimated 78,000 commuters whose physical presence is required at work were unable to travel.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 November 2022 |title=How strikes are slowing the economic recovery and hastening the arrival of driverless trains: Industrial action by the RMT union could backfire unless new talks can offer headway |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2734871404/EE729C4BA286438APQ/12 |access-date=2022-12-07 |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> |
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During the rail strike on 19 August 2022, more London commuters went to work compared to previous strike days.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Lydall |first=Ross |last2=Cecil |first2=Nicholas |last3=Talora |first3=Joe |date=19 August 2022 |title='End London's Strike Misery?': Union bosses under fire for bringing Tube to virtual shutdown |edition=West End Final |page=1 |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2704057476/1FEF0ADA15634657PQ/2 |access-date=2022-12-07 |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> They cycled or took buses and trains, including the [[Elizabeth line|Elizabeth Line]].<ref name=":4" /> The [[Santander Cycles|London Cycle Hire Scheme]] has provided an alternative means of transport during Tube strikes, but quickly reaches capacity during peak travel times.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Yang |first=Yuanxuan |last2=Beecham |first2=Roger |last3=Heppenstall |first3=Alison |last4=Turner |first4=Andy |last5=Comber |first5=Alexis |date=January 2022 |title=Understanding the impacts of public transit disruptions on bikeshare schemes and cycling behaviours using spatiotemporal and graph-based analysis: A case study of four London Tube strikes |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2021.103255 |journal=Journal of Transport Geography |volume=98 |doi=10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2021.103255 |via=Science Direct|doi-access=free }}</ref> |
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==Legislation== |
==Legislation== |
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As of 7 December 2022, a bill requiring minimum levels of service to be maintained on transport networks during strikes had been introduced to Parliament, but had not yet been debated.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Becky |date=7 December 2022 |title=PMQs: Rishi Sunak working on 'tough' new anti-strike laws |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63885549 |access-date=2022-12-07}}</ref> |
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The government has proposed to raise the strike threshold so that a strike can only take place if there is a 50% turnout and, in the case of core public services (Health, Education, Transport & Fire Services), if 40% of eligible workers are in favour.<ref>{{cite news |date=2015-05-27 |title=Strike changes: what do they mean? |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32870930}}</ref> This change would make it more difficult for Tube workers to go on strike. |
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== |
==History== |
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From 2000 to 2008, the RMT balloted for industrial action at least 50 times, resulting in member votes for strike action on 18 occasions. Overall, there were 30 separate strikes during this period.<ref name=":5" /> |
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== List of past strikes and closures == |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" |
{| class="wikitable sortable" |
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|- |
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! Status |
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! Start |
! Start |
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! End |
! End |
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! Participants |
! Participants |
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! Nature of dispute |
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! Dispute |
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! Notes |
! Notes |
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| 2010-09-06 17:00, 2100 BST<ref name="bbc-2010-09-07">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11209522 |title=BBC News - London Underground strike causes severe disruption |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2010-09-07 |accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> |
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| Completed |
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| 2010-09-07 2100 BST<ref name="bbc-2010-09-07" /> |
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| 2017-01-08 1800 GMT |
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| 2017-01-09 1800 GMT |
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| RMT |
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| In response to the cutting of 900 station jobs;<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Tube staff out in force across the network - rmt |url=https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/tube-staff-out-in-force-across-the-network/ |access-date=2017-01-09 |website=www.rmt.org.uk}}</ref> per TfL, "Station Staffing and Safety Arrangements"<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of bus and tube strikes |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-1931-1617 |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Transport for London}}</ref> |
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| "This action has been forced on us by savage cuts to jobs that have reduced London Underground to an under-staffed death trap at a time of heightened security and safety alert."<ref name=":0" /> |
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|- |
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| Completed |
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| 2010-09-06 17:00, 21:00<ref name="bbc-2010-09-07">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11209522 |title=BBC News - London Underground strike causes severe disruption |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2010-09-07 |accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> |
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| 2010-09-07 21:00<ref name="bbc-2010-09-07"/> |
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| RMT, TSSA<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.24dash.com/news/local_government/2010-09-06-safety-row-erupts-as-millions-prepare-for-tube-strike-travel-chaos#.U2UMEEPmZhE |title=Safety row erupts as millions prepare for Tube strike travel chaos » Local Government |publisher=24dash.com |date=2010-09-06 |accessdate=2014-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503191228/http://www.24dash.com/news/local_government/2010-09-06-safety-row-erupts-as-millions-prepare-for-tube-strike-travel-chaos#.U2UMEEPmZhE#.U2UMEEPmZhE |archive-date=3 May 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
| RMT, TSSA<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.24dash.com/news/local_government/2010-09-06-safety-row-erupts-as-millions-prepare-for-tube-strike-travel-chaos#.U2UMEEPmZhE |title=Safety row erupts as millions prepare for Tube strike travel chaos » Local Government |publisher=24dash.com |date=2010-09-06 |accessdate=2014-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503191228/http://www.24dash.com/news/local_government/2010-09-06-safety-row-erupts-as-millions-prepare-for-tube-strike-travel-chaos#.U2UMEEPmZhE#.U2UMEEPmZhE |archive-date=3 May 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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| Removal of 800 safety-critical jobs.<ref name="bbc-2010-09-07"/> "RMT are up in arms at TfL's attempts to get volunteers to help people's travel plans."<ref name="going-underground-blog-2010-09-06">{{cite web|url=http://london-underground.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/tube-strike-starts-this-evening.html |title=London Underground Tube Diary - Going Underground's Blog |publisher=London-underground.blogspot.co.uk |date=2010-09-06 |accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> |
| Removal of 800 safety-critical jobs.<ref name="bbc-2010-09-07" /> "RMT are up in arms at TfL's attempts to get volunteers to help people's travel plans."<ref name="going-underground-blog-2010-09-06">{{cite web|url=http://london-underground.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/tube-strike-starts-this-evening.html |title=London Underground Tube Diary - Going Underground's Blog |publisher=London-underground.blogspot.co.uk |date=2010-09-06 |accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> |
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| <ref name="foi">{{cite web|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/london_underground_recent_strike |title=London Underground Recent Strike Date Data - a Freedom of Information request to Transport for London |publisher=WhatDoTheyKnow |date= 16 December 2010|accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> |
| <ref name="foi">{{cite web|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/london_underground_recent_strike |title=London Underground Recent Strike Date Data - a Freedom of Information request to Transport for London |publisher=WhatDoTheyKnow |date= 16 December 2010|accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref>"Boris Bikes part of plans to mitigate effects of London tube strike".<ref>{{cite web|author=Mash Media Group Ltd |url=http://www.exhibitionnews.co.uk/newsdetails/638/boris-bikes-part-of-plans-to-mitigate-effects-of-london-tube-strike |title=Boris Bikes part of plans to mitigate effects of London tube strike |publisher=Exhibition News |date= |accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|2010-10-03 1830 BST<ref name="going-underground-blog-2010-10-03">{{cite web |date=2010-10-03 |title=London Underground Tube Diary - Going Underground's Blog |url=http://london-underground.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/2nd-tube-strike-looms.html |accessdate=2014-08-01 |publisher=London-underground.blogspot.co.uk}}</ref> |
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| Completed |
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|2010-10-04 1900 BST |
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| 2010-10-03 18:30<ref name="going-underground-blog-2010-10-03" /> |
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|RMT, TSSA |
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| ?? |
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|800 job losses<ref name=":11">{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Alan |date=5 October 2010 |title=War of words as Tube strike bites: Unions call for PM to step in |work=Daily Post |location=Liverpool |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/756395059/6CC2DCD1575447C8PQ/1 |access-date=2022-12-09 |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> |
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| RMT |
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|24-hour strike, during which TfL claimed 40% of services were running; union leaders asked Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] to intervene<ref name=":11" /> |
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| ? |
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| <ref name="foi"/> "With both the Mayor's office and the unions refusing to budge on the need to reduce manpower on the network, and the unions slowly escalating the non-strike action, it looks likely that this will be a long running saga."<ref name="going-underground-blog-2010-10-03">{{cite web|url=http://london-underground.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/2nd-tube-strike-looms.html |title=London Underground Tube Diary - Going Underground's Blog |publisher=London-underground.blogspot.co.uk |date=2010-10-03 |accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|2010-11-28 |
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| Completed |
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|2010-11-29<ref name="going-underground-blog-2010-11-26">{{cite web |date=2010-11-26 |title=London Underground Tube Diary - Going Underground's Blog |url=http://london-underground.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/fourth-tube-strike-on-for-28th-29th.html |accessdate=2014-08-01 |publisher=London-underground.blogspot.co.uk}}</ref> |
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| 2010-11-02 |
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|RMT, TSSA |
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| ?? |
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|LU cutting 800 jobs, largely ticket office staff; unions say staff cuts affect safety and ability to combat crime, terrorism<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Wright |first=Robert |date=26 November 2010 |title=London suffers fourth Tube strike |work=FT.com |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/814504916/B10EF8D5DFC54FC1PQ/18 |access-date=2010-12-09 |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> |
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| RMT |
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|Fourth in a series of one-day strikes<ref name=":10" /><ref name="foi" /> |
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| ? |
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| <ref name="foi"/> |
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|- |
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|2011-06-19 2100 BST |
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| Completed |
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|2011-06-20 0300 BST |
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| 2010-11-28 |
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|RMT |
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| 2010-11-29<ref name="going-underground-blog-2010-11-26">{{cite web|url=http://london-underground.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/fourth-tube-strike-on-for-28th-29th.html |title=London Underground Tube Diary - Going Underground's Blog |publisher=London-underground.blogspot.co.uk |date=2010-11-26 |accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> |
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|Sacking of Northern Line driver Arwyn Thomas; LU claimed it was due to abusive behaviour toward colleagues, while RMT claimed it was punitive for being a union activist<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Dick |last2=Darrall |first2=Stephanie |date=20 June 2011 |title='Pointless' Tube strike... so staff can strike again |edition=West End final |work=London Evening Standard |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/872578237/1DF430ED67FA4294PQ/40 |access-date=2022-12-09 |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> |
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| RMT |
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|First of four planned walkouts; only six hours long, it led to accusations that RMT was staging "pointless" strikes to enable further strikes;<ref name=":9" /> on 22 June 2011, a tribunal ruled that the sacking was unfair;<ref name="bbc_arwyn_thomas">{{cite news |date=2011-06-22 |title=BBC News - Tube strike driver Arwyn Thomas unfairly dismissed |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13879563 |accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> on 24 June 2011, further strikes cancelled after London Underground reinstated the Tube driver at the centre of the dispute<ref name="global_rail_news_arwyn_thomas">{{cite web |date= |title=Tube strikes cancelled as London Underground reinstates unfairly sacked driver | Global Rail News |url=http://www.rail.co/2011/06/24/tube-strikes-cancelled-as-london-underground-reinstates-unfairly-sacked-driver/ |accessdate=2014-03-13 |publisher=Rail.co}}</ref> |
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| ? |
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| <ref name="foi"/> |
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|- |
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|2014-02-04 |
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| Cancelled |
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|2014-02-06 |
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|RMT, TSSA |
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| 2011-06-?? |
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|Protest against plans to cut 750 jobs, automate ticket sales, close ticket offices<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Winning |first=Nicholas |date=11 February 2014 |title=London Subway Strike Called Off by Unions |work=Dow Jones Institutional News |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2082247903/D5DB04B16D0E4D1FPQ/31 |access-date=2022-12-09 |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> |
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| RMT |
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|Two-thirds of services halted during 48-hour strike;<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Payton |first=Matthew |date=4 February 2014 |title=London Underground strikes: line-by-line travel information |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/10617182/London-Underground-strikes-line-by-line-travel-information.html |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> second 48-hour strike called off |
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| "The sacking of Arwyn Thomas, a driver member of the RMT who was dismissed for ‘unacceptable behaviour’ towards a colleague."<ref name="global_rail_news_arwyn_thomas">{{cite web|url=http://www.rail.co/2011/06/24/tube-strikes-cancelled-as-london-underground-reinstates-unfairly-sacked-driver/ |title=Tube strikes cancelled as London Underground reinstates unfairly sacked driver | Global Rail News |publisher=Rail.co |date= |accessdate=2014-03-13}}</ref> |
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| On 15 June 2011 the RMT announced a strike would begin on 19 June 2011, disrupting the [[Wimbledon Championships]].<ref>[http://www.hemsworthandsouthelmsallexpress.co.uk/news/national/tube_strikes_on_as_talks_break_down_1_3482152 "Tube strikes on as talks break down"]{{dead link|date=March 2014}}</ref> On 22 June, a tribunal ruled that the sacking was unfair.<ref name="bbc_arwyn_thomas">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13879563 |title=BBC News - Tube strike driver Arwyn Thomas unfairly dismissed |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2011-06-22 |accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> On 24 June 2011, the strikes were cancelled after London Underground reinstated the Tube driver at the centre of the dispute.<ref name="global_rail_news_arwyn_thomas" /> |
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|- |
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|2014-04-28 |
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| Completed |
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|2014-04-30 |
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2100 BST |
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| 2014-02-06 |
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|RMT |
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|Plans to close all ticket offices and loss of 960 jobs<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |date=2014-04-30 |title=Tube strike: Disruption continues as strike ends |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-27215922 |access-date=2022-12-09}}</ref> |
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| ? |
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|Network-wide closure;<ref name=":6" /> per London Underground, 52% of services were running on 30 April 2014<ref name=":7" /> |
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| Further strikes over TfL's plans to close Underground ticket offices took place in February 2014.<ref>Telegraph, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/10617182/London-Underground-strikes-line-by-line-travel-information.html</ref> |
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|- |
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|2016-12-24 |
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| Completed |
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|2016-12-25 |
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|RMT |
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| 2014-04-?? |
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|Tube station staffing and impact on safety after cutting 900 front-line jobs and closing ticket offices;<ref>{{Cite web |title=RMT confirms action in tube station staffing dispute - rmt |url=https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-confirms-action-in-tube-station-staffing-dispute/ |access-date=2017-01-09 |website=www.rmt.org.uk}}</ref> per TFL, "Christmas and New Year Working"<ref name=":6" /> |
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|Called off on 22 December 2016,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Strike called for Christmas Eve is suspended - rmt |url=https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/strike-called-for-christmas-eve-is-suspended/ |access-date=2017-01-09 |website=www.rmt.org.uk}}</ref> but Hammersmith & City and District Lines were closed<ref name=":6" /> |
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|- |
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| 2017-01-08 1800 GMT |
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| 2017-01-09 1800 GMT |
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| RMT |
| RMT |
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| In response to the cutting of 900 station jobs;<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Tube staff out in force across the network - rmt |url=https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/tube-staff-out-in-force-across-the-network/ |access-date=2017-01-09 |website=www.rmt.org.uk}}</ref> per TfL, "Station Staffing and Safety Arrangements"<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=History of bus and tube strikes |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-1931-1617 |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Transport for London}}</ref> |
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| ? |
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| "This action has been forced on us by savage cuts to jobs that have reduced London Underground to an under-staffed death trap at a time of heightened security and safety alert."<ref name=":0" /> |
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| More strikes took place in April/May 2014.<ref>BBC News, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27215922</ref> |
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A strike ended 21:00 BST, Wednesday 30 April.<ref>{{cite news|author=Tom Edwards |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27215922 |title=BBC News - Tube strike: Disruption continues as strike ends |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2014-04-30 |accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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|2022-06-06 |
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| Planned |
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| |
|2022-06-07 0800 BST |
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|RMT on some lines |
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| 2014-05-08 18:29 BST (?) |
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|Jobs and pensions<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 June 2022 |title=Tube strike 'chaos': 5 MINUTE BRIEFING |work=Manchester Evening News |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2673467344/C26BF182092A4F49PQ/33 |access-date=2022-12-09 |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> |
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| All "fleet grade" members of the RMT. |
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|Complete suspension of Piccadilly Line; Bakerloo and Jubilee Lines remained open; other lines reported closed despite TfL claiming "good service" elsewhere<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coffey |first=Helen |date=7 June 2022 |title=Which London Underground lines are affected by today’s Tube strike? |work=The Independent (Online) |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2674130270/C26BF182092A4F49PQ/4 |access-date=2022-12-09 |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> |
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| "[London Underground]’s plans to slash jobs and close ticket offices [..., and] replace skilled workers with unreliable automation in all areas of its work, including train maintenance, engineering, service control and train operation."<ref name="rmt.org.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.rmt.org.uk/news/every-job-matters--defending-jobs-on-london-underground0205/ |title=Every Job Matters – Defending Jobs On London Underground |publisher=rmt |date=2014-05-02 |accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> |
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| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rmt.org.uk/news/tube-strike-action-next-week-goes-ahead/ |title=Tube strike action next week goes ahead |publisher=rmt |date=2014-05-02 |accessdate=2014-08-01}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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|2022-06-21 |
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| Planned |
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|2022-06-22 |
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| 2014-05-05 21:00 BST (?) |
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|RMT |
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| 2014-05-08 20:59 BST (?) |
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|Compulsory redundancies and pensions<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Wolmar |first=Christian |date=20 June 2022 |title=The Tube, the unions and strike-ageddon |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2678518181/1FEF0ADA15634657PQ/4 |access-date=7 December 2022 |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> |
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| Non-"fleet grade" members of the RMT. |
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|Timed to coincide with the first of three National Rail strike days; some reduction in TfL service on the other days where track is shared<ref name=":3" /> |
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| as above |
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| <ref name="rmt.org.uk"/> |
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|- |
|- |
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|2022-08-19 |
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|Cancelled |
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|2022-08-20 0800 BST |
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|2016-12-24 |
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|RMT, Unite |
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|2016-12-25 |
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|Pensions, jobs, and working conditions<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 August 2022 |title=TfL reminds customers to only travel if essential ahead of strike action on Thursday and Saturday |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2022/august/tfl-reminds-customers-to-only-travel-if-essential-ahead-of-strike-action-on-thursday-and-saturday |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Transport for London}}</ref> |
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|Timed to coincide with major industrial action by 40,000 RMT members working for Network Rail and 14 train operators on 18 and 20 August 2022<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thackray |first=Lucy |date=20 August 2022 |title=Train strikes: Why are this week’s rail walkouts happening? |work=The Independent (Online) |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2704764804/440A8EC5C0E04E9APQ/24 |access-date=2022-12-05 |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|2022-11-10 |
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|2022-11-11 |
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|RMT, Unite |
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|Jobs and pensions<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Lancefield |first=Neil |last2=Jones |first2=Alan |date=10 November 2022 |title=Tube strike causing travel misery in London |agency=Press Association |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2734541831/4D55072DD5104F6BPQ/6 |access-date=2022-12-05 |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> |
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|Nine out of eleven London Underground stations closed; Central and Northern Lines partially open<ref name=":2" /> |
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|- |
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|2022-11-25 |
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|2022-11-25 |
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|RMT at some Tube stations |
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|Reduction of 600 station staff jobs<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=McCann |first=Jaymi |date=25 November 2022 |title=London strike dates: When train, Tube and TfL bus strikes are next planned in November and December 2022 |work=inews.co.uk |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/london-strike-dates-when-train-tube-tfl-bus-strikes-november-december-1992143 |access-date=2022-12-05}}</ref> |
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|Some stations opened later or closed earlier, including Euston, Green Park, Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, Heathrow Terminal 4, Heathrow Terminal 5, Hatton Cross, Hounslow West, King's Cross St Pancras, and Victoria<ref name=":1" /> |
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|- |
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|2023-03-15 |
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|2023-03-18 |
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|RMT at all the Tube stations |
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|Thousands of union staff walked out in a dispute over pensions and working arrangements. |
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|All stations were closed. |
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|- |
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|2024-01-05 |
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|2024-01-11 |
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|RMT |
|RMT |
||
|Below-inflation pay increase of 5%<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |date=7 January 2024 |title=London Underground strike: Services set to be halted by walkouts|work=bbc.co.uk |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67883173 |access-date=2024-01-07}}</ref> |
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|"The dispute is over tube station staffing and safety. Over 3000 RMT station staff members were balloted for action over the impact on safety from the axing of nearly 900 front-line workers alongside the closure of tube ticket offices. RMT says that the cuts have left safety on a knife edge with the incidents at Canning Town and North Greenwich throwing the spotlight on dangers which are being worsened by the cuts process."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-confirms-action-in-tube-station-staffing-dispute/|title=RMT confirms action in tube station staffing dispute - rmt|website=www.rmt.org.uk|access-date=2017-01-09}}</ref> |
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| |
|||
|85% voted for strike action and 94% for action short of a strike in the ballot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-confirms-strike-dates-in-tube-station-staffing-dispute/|title=RMT confirms strike dates in Tube station staffing dispute - rmt|website=www.rmt.org.uk|access-date=2017-01-09}}</ref> Called off on 22 December 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/strike-called-for-christmas-eve-is-suspended/|title=Strike called for Christmas Eve is suspended - rmt|website=www.rmt.org.uk|access-date=2017-01-09}}</ref> |
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|} |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
{{reflist|30em}} |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/tube/travel-advice-for-tube-customers Travel advice for Tube customers, TfL] |
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* [https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/apr/29/tube-strike-live-updates Tube strike: live updates; The Guardian, 29 April 2014] |
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* [http://www.rmt.org.uk/campaigns/underground/ RMT page on their "Underground" campaign] |
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* [https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/london_underground_recent_strike Correspondence relating to a Freedom of Information request for information related to strikes] |
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* [http://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt--the-tube-dispute-in-numbers/ "The tube dispute in numbers"], RMT Press Office, 29 April 2014 |
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[[Category:Strikes (protest)]] |
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[[Category:Rail transport strikes]] |
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[[Category:London Underground]] |
[[Category:London Underground]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Rail transport strikes in the United Kingdom]] |
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Latest revision as of 08:16, 3 November 2024
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London Underground strikes are an intermittent part of life in the capital of the United Kingdom. Described as "one of Britain's most strike-prone industries",[1] the London Underground has been subject to travel disruption due to industrial action organised by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), ASLEF and other unions, in response to disputes over job reductions, pensions, pay, safety, and working conditions.
As of 21 July 2023, London Underground strikes were called off after originally being planned for the following week.[2]
Strikes are planned for the week beginning 4 November 2024.
Background
[edit]Transport for London is the umbrella government body that operates the London Underground,[3] through its subsidiary, London Underground Limited (LUL).[4]
The largest union of Tube workers is the RMT. The others are the Aslef, the train drivers' union, and the TSSA, the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association.[1]
Public response and impact
[edit]The Tube strike on 10 November 2022 may have cost London's economy £14 million in lost output, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research. An estimated 78,000 commuters whose physical presence is required at work were unable to travel.[5]
During the rail strike on 19 August 2022, more London commuters went to work compared to previous strike days.[6] They cycled or took buses and trains, including the Elizabeth Line.[6] The London Cycle Hire Scheme has provided an alternative means of transport during Tube strikes, but quickly reaches capacity during peak travel times.[7]
Legislation
[edit]As of 7 December 2022, a bill requiring minimum levels of service to be maintained on transport networks during strikes had been introduced to Parliament, but had not yet been debated.[8]
History
[edit]From 2000 to 2008, the RMT balloted for industrial action at least 50 times, resulting in member votes for strike action on 18 occasions. Overall, there were 30 separate strikes during this period.[1]
List of past strikes and closures
[edit]| Start | End | Participants | Nature of dispute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-09-06 17:00, 2100 BST[9] | 2010-09-07 2100 BST[9] | RMT, TSSA[10] | Removal of 800 safety-critical jobs.[9] "RMT are up in arms at TfL's attempts to get volunteers to help people's travel plans."[11] | [12]"Boris Bikes part of plans to mitigate effects of London tube strike".[13] |
| 2010-10-03 1830 BST[14] | 2010-10-04 1900 BST | RMT, TSSA | 800 job losses[15] | 24-hour strike, during which TfL claimed 40% of services were running; union leaders asked Prime Minister David Cameron to intervene[15] |
| 2010-11-28 | 2010-11-29[16] | RMT, TSSA | LU cutting 800 jobs, largely ticket office staff; unions say staff cuts affect safety and ability to combat crime, terrorism[17] | Fourth in a series of one-day strikes[17][12] |
| 2011-06-19 2100 BST | 2011-06-20 0300 BST | RMT | Sacking of Northern Line driver Arwyn Thomas; LU claimed it was due to abusive behaviour toward colleagues, while RMT claimed it was punitive for being a union activist[18] | First of four planned walkouts; only six hours long, it led to accusations that RMT was staging "pointless" strikes to enable further strikes;[18] on 22 June 2011, a tribunal ruled that the sacking was unfair;[19] on 24 June 2011, further strikes cancelled after London Underground reinstated the Tube driver at the centre of the dispute[20] |
| 2014-02-04 | 2014-02-06 | RMT, TSSA | Protest against plans to cut 750 jobs, automate ticket sales, close ticket offices[21] | Two-thirds of services halted during 48-hour strike;[21][22] second 48-hour strike called off |
| 2014-04-28 | 2014-04-30
2100 BST |
RMT | Plans to close all ticket offices and loss of 960 jobs[23] | Network-wide closure;[24] per London Underground, 52% of services were running on 30 April 2014[23] |
| 2016-12-24 | 2016-12-25 | RMT | Tube station staffing and impact on safety after cutting 900 front-line jobs and closing ticket offices;[25] per TFL, "Christmas and New Year Working"[24] | Called off on 22 December 2016,[26] but Hammersmith & City and District Lines were closed[24] |
| 2017-01-08 1800 GMT | 2017-01-09 1800 GMT | RMT | In response to the cutting of 900 station jobs;[27] per TfL, "Station Staffing and Safety Arrangements"[24] | "This action has been forced on us by savage cuts to jobs that have reduced London Underground to an under-staffed death trap at a time of heightened security and safety alert."[27] |
| 2022-06-06 | 2022-06-07 0800 BST | RMT on some lines | Jobs and pensions[28] | Complete suspension of Piccadilly Line; Bakerloo and Jubilee Lines remained open; other lines reported closed despite TfL claiming "good service" elsewhere[29] |
| 2022-06-21 | 2022-06-22 | RMT | Compulsory redundancies and pensions[30] | Timed to coincide with the first of three National Rail strike days; some reduction in TfL service on the other days where track is shared[30] |
| 2022-08-19 | 2022-08-20 0800 BST | RMT, Unite | Pensions, jobs, and working conditions[31] | Timed to coincide with major industrial action by 40,000 RMT members working for Network Rail and 14 train operators on 18 and 20 August 2022[32] |
| 2022-11-10 | 2022-11-11 | RMT, Unite | Jobs and pensions[33] | Nine out of eleven London Underground stations closed; Central and Northern Lines partially open[33] |
| 2022-11-25 | 2022-11-25 | RMT at some Tube stations | Reduction of 600 station staff jobs[34] | Some stations opened later or closed earlier, including Euston, Green Park, Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, Heathrow Terminal 4, Heathrow Terminal 5, Hatton Cross, Hounslow West, King's Cross St Pancras, and Victoria[34] |
| 2023-03-15 | 2023-03-18 | RMT at all the Tube stations | Thousands of union staff walked out in a dispute over pensions and working arrangements. | All stations were closed. |
| 2024-01-05 | 2024-01-11 | RMT | Below-inflation pay increase of 5%[35] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Darlington, Ralph (24–27 August 2009). "RMT Strike Activity on London Underground: Incidence, Dynamics and Causes" (PDF). 15th International Industrial Relations Association Conference – via International Labour and Employment Relations Association (ILERA).
- ^ Lydall, Ross (21 July 2023). "Tube strikes are OFF after unions secure concessions from TfL". Evening Standard. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ Dawood, Sarah (13 July 2021). "Is TfL proof that public transport should be run by government?". The New Statesman. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ "Subsidiary companies". Transport for London. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ "How strikes are slowing the economic recovery and hastening the arrival of driverless trains: Industrial action by the RMT union could backfire unless new talks can offer headway". The Daily Telegraph. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b Lydall, Ross; Cecil, Nicholas; Talora, Joe (19 August 2022). "'End London's Strike Misery?': Union bosses under fire for bringing Tube to virtual shutdown". Evening Standard (West End Final ed.). p. 1. Retrieved 7 December 2022 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Yang, Yuanxuan; Beecham, Roger; Heppenstall, Alison; Turner, Andy; Comber, Alexis (January 2022). "Understanding the impacts of public transit disruptions on bikeshare schemes and cycling behaviours using spatiotemporal and graph-based analysis: A case study of four London Tube strikes". Journal of Transport Geography. 98. doi:10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2021.103255 – via Science Direct.
- ^ Morton, Becky (7 December 2022). "PMQs: Rishi Sunak working on 'tough' new anti-strike laws". BBC News. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
- ^ a b c "BBC News - London Underground strike causes severe disruption". Bbc.co.uk. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ "Safety row erupts as millions prepare for Tube strike travel chaos » Local Government". 24dash.com. 6 September 2010. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ "London Underground Tube Diary - Going Underground's Blog". London-underground.blogspot.co.uk. 6 September 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ a b "London Underground Recent Strike Date Data - a Freedom of Information request to Transport for London". WhatDoTheyKnow. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ Mash Media Group Ltd. "Boris Bikes part of plans to mitigate effects of London tube strike". Exhibition News. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ "London Underground Tube Diary - Going Underground's Blog". London-underground.blogspot.co.uk. 3 October 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ a b Jones, Alan (5 October 2010). "War of words as Tube strike bites: Unions call for PM to step in". Daily Post. Liverpool. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "London Underground Tube Diary - Going Underground's Blog". London-underground.blogspot.co.uk. 26 November 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ a b Wright, Robert (26 November 2010). "London suffers fourth Tube strike". FT.com. Retrieved 9 December 2010 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b Murray, Dick; Darrall, Stephanie (20 June 2011). "'Pointless' Tube strike... so staff can strike again". London Evening Standard (West End final ed.). Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "BBC News - Tube strike driver Arwyn Thomas unfairly dismissed". Bbc.co.uk. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ "Tube strikes cancelled as London Underground reinstates unfairly sacked driver | Global Rail News". Rail.co. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
- ^ a b Winning, Nicholas (11 February 2014). "London Subway Strike Called Off by Unions". Dow Jones Institutional News. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Payton, Matthew (4 February 2014). "London Underground strikes: line-by-line travel information". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Tube strike: Disruption continues as strike ends". BBC News. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
- ^ a b c d "History of bus and tube strikes". Transport for London. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
- ^ "RMT confirms action in tube station staffing dispute - rmt". www.rmt.org.uk. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- ^ "Strike called for Christmas Eve is suspended - rmt". www.rmt.org.uk. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Tube staff out in force across the network - rmt". www.rmt.org.uk. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- ^ "Tube strike 'chaos': 5 MINUTE BRIEFING". Manchester Evening News. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Coffey, Helen (7 June 2022). "Which London Underground lines are affected by today's Tube strike?". The Independent (Online). Retrieved 9 December 2022 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b Wolmar, Christian (20 June 2022). "The Tube, the unions and strike-ageddon". Evening Standard. Retrieved 7 December 2022 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "TfL reminds customers to only travel if essential ahead of strike action on Thursday and Saturday". Transport for London. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
- ^ Thackray, Lucy (20 August 2022). "Train strikes: Why are this week's rail walkouts happening?". The Independent (Online). Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b Lancefield, Neil; Jones, Alan (10 November 2022). "Tube strike causing travel misery in London". Press Association. Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b McCann, Jaymi (25 November 2022). "London strike dates: When train, Tube and TfL bus strikes are next planned in November and December 2022". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
- ^ "London Underground strike: Services set to be halted by walkouts". bbc.co.uk. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.