A major strike has hit the London Underground, causing serious travel disruption across the city this week. Thousands of commuters were affected as workers began a five-day walkout over pay and working hours.
The strike started on Sunday and will last until Thursday, September 11. Most Tube Services are expected to be suspended, with trains running only during limited hours, if at all. On Friday, September 12, normal services are scheduled to resume.
Staff from the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are leading the strike. They say extreme shift patterns and long hours are harming their health. The union is demanding a reduction of the standard workweek from 35 to 32 hours, better fatigue management and higher pay.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey stated, “Our members are doing an incredible job to keep our capital moving, but extreme shift patterns are seriously impacting their health and well-being. These problems have been ignored by management for years.”
Transport for London (Tfl) offered a 3.4% day raise but says reducing hours further is neither practical nor affordable. Tfl has called for talks to continue and urged the union to call off the strike.
Lines most affected include the Baker, Circle, Central, Metropolitan and Piccadilly. The Elizabeth line and Overground are still running but are much busier than usual. Roads, buses and taxis are crowded as people look for alternative ways to travel.
In addition to the Tube, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will be closed on Tuesday, adding more pressure to London’s transport network. Many stations are closed and open services may not stop at all stations.
Commuters have been advised to finish their journeys by 6 p.m. on operating days and consider walking or cycling. Businesses and schools are making changes to schedules, with some shifting to remote work and online classes.
The strike comes after months of negotiation. The union says previous agreements have not been honored and the number of staff has fallen by 2,000 since 2018. TfL says discussions will continue and hopes for a solution soon.
The strikes have also affected events, with concerts and shows rescheduled or postponed, including Coldplay and Post Malone performances at Wembley.
No further negotiations have been announced, but Mayor Sadiq khan has been asked to help resolve the dispute. Both the union and TfL say they are willing to keep talking. For now, Londoners continue to face a week of disrupted travel and uncertainty.
