Tube strikes suspended following ‘significant progress’ between RMT union and TfL

Strike action on London Underground this week has been suspended following ‘significant progress’ in talks between the RMT union and Transport for London (TfL).

Planned strike action by over 3,000 Tube station staff on Wednesday 4 and Friday October 6 will now not go ahead, the RMT announced on Tuesday afternoon.

The union said there had been a breakthrough in talks with TfL at Acas.

The strikes were the latest in a long running dispute over 600 station staff cuts and “detrimental” working conditions since last year.

TfL said it has been discussing with unions a range of proposals to change how London Underground operates so that staff can be deployed more flexibly.

“No stations employee has lost or will lose their job or be asked to work additional hours.” said a TfL spokesperson.

TfL had warned most Tube services would be severely impacted or will not run on either day on the strike days.

Strike action by the Aslef union on Wednesday October 4, will still go ahead. The walkout will cause severe disruption on a number of train networks and coincides with the Tory party conference in Manchester.

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."

Nick Dent, London Underground’s director of customer operations, said: “We are pleased that the RMT has withdrawn its planned industrial action this week and that the dispute on our change proposals in stations is now resolved.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