London Tube strikes 2024: TfL warns of ‘little or no' Tube service for four days next week

London Underground services are set to come to a halt due to a series of walkouts by union members.

Members of the RMT union working on the London Underground will start their rolling strike action on Friday January 5, continuing till Friday January 12, with workers from different workforces striking on different days.

TfL has warned that from Monday January 8 to Thursday January 8, severe disruption is expected, with few or no Tube trains expected to run.

Services will begin later than usual on Friday January 12, with a good service expected by midday.

On Sunday January 7 passengers are advised to complete their journeys by 5.30pm as Tube services will end earlier than normal.

Talks between TfL and the RMT union are currently ongoing as TfL says it is trying to avoid this planned strike action, which is over pay and conditions.

In November, TfL made a "full and final" offer to increase the base pay for all London Underground workers by 5%, which was rejected by the RMT, TSSA and Unite unions.

Minimum service law

City Hall Conservatives are calling on the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan to use new minimum service laws to ensure Londoners can get to and from work during the industrial action.

City Hall Conservatives Transport spokesman Keith Prince said: “Sadiq Khan needs to decide if he is the mayor for Londoners or the mayor for trade unions. The Strikes (Minimum Service Level) Act gives Sadiq Khan the power to intervene in next week’s strikes to ensure minimum service levels on the Underground network. 

“In 2016, Sadiq Khan promised zero strikes on the Underground network. Next week’s industrial action will be the 140th strike under his watch - four times as many as the previous mayor. Sadiq Khan is both mayor and chairman of TfL. Londoners will know who to blame when the Tube network grinds to a halt once again next week.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that the RMT called this action over our full and final offer of a 5% pay increase. We have been clear in constructive discussions that this is the most we can afford whilst ensuring that we can operate safely, reliably and sustainably. We encourage the RMT to engage with us to avoid disruption for Londoners.

 “The Minimum Service Level Act has not been applied during this industrial action for a number of reasons. The legislation has just been introduced and does not cover all of the relevant groups of staff taking action on some of the days. There are also aspects that we are seeking clarification on from the government.”

TfL services during strikes

Aside from the Underground, no other TfL services will be on strike, but bus, DLR, London Overground, and Elizabeth line services are expected to be busier than usual, and one-way or queuing systems may be in place. TfL said they will also be affected by station closures, where stations also serve London Underground lines.

It advised Londoners who need to travel during the strikes to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys.

Strikes overview

Here is the full list of dates and workforces taking action:

• January 5-6 – Engineering and maintenance workers will strike, also not working overtime until January 12. 
• January 7-8 – London Underground Control Centre and Power/Control members will strike. 
• January 8 – Full RMT union London Underground staff strike.
• January 9 – Signallers and Service Controller members will strike.
• January 10 – Full RMT union London Underground staff strike.
• January 12 – Signallers and Service Controller members will strike.

What is the RMT union saying?

The RMT union says it wants to see full staff travel facilities for all Tube workers restored and has criticised bosses for freezing pay bands, warning that it will create a two-tier workforce.

Announcing the strikes last month, general secretary Mick Lynch said: "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 improve their offer to avert disruption in the capital."