Tube strikes 2023: TfL warns of severe disruption across London Underground on October 4 and 6

Transport for London (TfL) has warned of severe disruption across the Tube network next week if planned strike action by station staff goes ahead.

Around 3,500 RMT members will walk out on Wednesday October 4 and Friday October 6 over job losses and safety concerns.

TfL says most Tube services will be severely impacted or will not run on either day, with disruption expected in the mornings of Thursday and Saturday (October 5 and 7) as the network recovers following the strike action if it goes ahead. The Night Tube will not operate on Friday October 6.

While Londoners will still be able to travel on London Overground, Elizabeth line, DLR and Tram services, they may be subject to last-minute changes, including non-stopping at stations shared with London Underground, and TfL expects services will be busier than usual.

The Night Overground will operate on Friday October 6 but will not stop at Whitechapel and Canada Water stations. Customers are advised to check before they travel.

The RMT union says it has been locked in a long running dispute over 600 station staff cuts and “detrimental” working conditions since last year.

Safety concerns have been raised regarding fewer staff facing higher workloads, more lone working and increased fatigue.

The union says the job losses planned will affect every aspect of the tube including stations and maintenance, leading to the likelihood of more unstaffed stations and a lowering of safety standards.

TfL says that no station staff member will lose their job as part of this proposed service, nor will their working hours be extended.

The transport body said the changes being proposed would still see all stations staffed at all times and they are seeking new ways of working to ensure safety, while ensuring the best possible service for everyone using the Tube network.

Talks between TfL and RMT are ongoing as TfL seeks to try and avoid the planned strike action.

There is separate planned strike action on the national rail network on Saturday September 30 and Wednesday October 4, with severe disruption on a number of train networks

Nick Dent, director of Customer Operations for London Underground, said: “We have been in ongoing discussions with our unions for some time to reach a resolution in the dispute over changes we are proposing to how our stations operate.

“We have made positive steps and made agreements on many points, but this planned strike action will cause disruption for Londoners and the city if it goes ahead and we apologise for this. We urge the RMT to continue engaging with us and to call off this action.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Station staff have had enough of having their livelihoods threatened by job losses and attacks on their terms and conditions.

“Station staff have a vital role to play assisting vulnerable passengers access the network safely and ensuring that the tube is a safe environment for passengers.

“These job cuts and attacks on conditions are going to lead to more unstaffed stations, temporary closures and rising passenger anger.

“TfL has had its budgets slashed but the savings made by these station staff cuts will be negatable and will lead to shortages that are unacceptable.

“This strike action will lead to the tube being shutdown and we call on Mayor Sadiq Khan to meet us urgently to discuss this matter.”