Tube strikes for this week called off in 11th hour talks

Strike action on the London Underground that was set to take place over two days this week has been suspended.

The RMT union, which had called the strike that would have seen 3,000 members walk out tomorrow and on Friday, said “significant progress” had been made in negotiations with London Underground Limited (LUL) representatives.

Following talks at The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), the RMT said it had managed to save key jobs, prevent detrimental changes to rotas and secure protection of earnings around grading changes.

The significant progress means that key elements have been settled, although there remain wider negotiations to be had in the job, pensions and working agreements dispute.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “I congratulate all our members who were prepared to take strike action and our negotiations team for securing this victory in our tube dispute.

“Without the unity and industrial power of our members, there is no way we would have been able to make the progress we have.

“We still remain in dispute over outstanding issues around pensions and working agreements and will continue to pursue a negotiated settlement.”

Planned strike action on the national rail network is still planned for tomorrow. Customers should check their route before travelling.

Nick Dent, London Underground’s director of customer operations, said: “We are pleased that the RMT has withdrawn its planned industrial action this week and that the dispute on our change proposals in stations is now resolved.

“This is good news for London and we will continue to work closely with our trade unions as we evolve London Underground to ensure we can continue to support the capital in the most effective way.”

(Picture: TfL)