London tube strikes kick off a week of travel misery for commuters
London Underground workers are set to launch a series of strikes today in a dispute over pay.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are taking industrial action in protest at a 5% pay offer.
The first round of action will see engineers stage a walk out on Friday, but the biggest disruption to services will be from Sunday evening to Friday January 12.
Transport for London (TfL) said there would be little or no service between the evening of Sunday January 7 and the morning of Friday January 12 if the strikes went ahead.
Glynn Barton, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: ‘We are disappointed that RMT is planning strike action in response to our offer of a 5% pay increase.
‘We have been clear throughout our productive discussions with our trade unions that this offer is the most we can afford while ensuring that we can operate safely, reliably and sustainably.
‘We encourage the RMT to engage with us to avoid disruption for Londoners. We would like to advise anyone travelling during the strike days to check before they travel.’
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said Tube workers were not going to accept poor offers and the ‘continual undermining of conditions’.
He added: ‘The refusal of TfL to restore staff travel facilities and create a two-tier workforce is also unacceptable.
‘Our members have made it clear that they are prepared to take action and we urge TfL to enter into meaningful conciliatory talks to avert disruption in the capital.’
Talks have been held this week to try to resolve the dispute.
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