London Rail Strikes October 2022: London Marathon and other events set to be disrupted by industrial action

The North London derby, featuring Arsenal v Tottenham could be affected by the rail strikes
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Members of two of the biggest rail unions, RMT and Aslef are to strike in October over a long-running dispute.

Travel to, from and around London is set to be heavily disrupted by the upcoming strikes, with many events set to be affected.

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Industrial action has affected a whole host of events over the summer, with the RMT staging the biggest walkout in over three decades back in June.

RMT general secreatary Mick Lynch has warned that more rail strikes are ‘very likely’ (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)RMT general secreatary Mick Lynch has warned that more rail strikes are ‘very likely’ (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)
RMT general secreatary Mick Lynch has warned that more rail strikes are ‘very likely’ (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general secretary, said: “We would much rather not be in this position. We don’t want to go on strike – withdrawing your labour, although a fundamental human right, is always a last resort for this trade union – but the train companies have been determined to force our hand.

“They are telling train drivers to take a real terms pay cut. With inflation now running at 12.3% – and set, it is said, to go higher – these companies are saying that drivers should be prepared to work just as hard, for just as long, but for considerably less.

“The companies with whom we are in dispute have not offered us a penny. It is outrageous that they expect us to put up with a real terms pay cut for a third year in a row.”

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Mr. Whelan added: “And that’s why we are going on strike. To persuade the companies to be sensible, to do the right thing, and come and negotiate properly with us. Not to run up and say, “Our hands are tied and the government will not allow us to offer you an increase.

“Train drivers kept Britain moving – key workers and goods around the country – throughout the pandemic and we deserve to be treated better than this.

“That’s why we are calling on the companies – which are making big profits, and paying their chief executives enormous salaries and bonuses – to make a pay offer to our members to keep up with the rise in the cost of living.”

When are the strikes?

The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, and The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers are to strike on Saturday, 1 October and Wednesday, 5 October.

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Strikes were set to be held on three dates in September, but were cancelled swiftly after the death of Queen Elizabeth II was announced.

Will events in London be affected?

Travel to many events in the capital are set to be impacted by the strikes.

On Saturday, 1 October - the first day of the two strike dates in the month - lands on the same day as the North London Derby.

The game pits Arsenal against Tottenham, and the game is set to be played at Arsenal’s stadium, the Emirates.

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One of the closest train stations to the stadium is Highbury & Islington. The London Overground, which is one of the companies affected by the strikes, runs trains to that stadium.

Another London derby is also affected as Crystal Palace host Fulham.

West Ham and Fulham are also playing at home on Saturday, 1 October

Another event that may be affected is the London Marathon. In 2021, 40,000 people took part in the marathon.

Whilst the marathon takes place the day after strike action on Sunday, 2 October, people wishing to travel to London for the race may experience some difficulty.