Sadiq Khan has role to play in ending tube strike: union
The Rail, Maritime & Transport (RMT) Union has called on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to come to the table to help end the ongoing tube strike.
As the strike continues and costs businesses millions of pounds, the RMT has called on London Mayor Sadiq Khan for direct intervention.
“It’s a strange position as he is the Chair of the Transport for London board. So I would have thought that in that capacity, and as Mayor of London, would want to see this resolved,” said RMT London Transport Regional Organiser Jared Wood.
“We have seen public comments from Sadiq urging us and the London Underground to sit down and negotiate this. We have tried to do that, but we need a bit of help from him.”
London Underground lines remained suspended on Tuesday (9 September) as members of the union launched a series of strikes over pay and conditions.
While the strikes officially started over the weekend, the effect of he industrial action will be more keenly felt today and later this week as millions of people struggle to get to work, school, and return from summer holidays.
Transport for London (TfL) has cautioned that services will be extremely limited – or may not run at all – between Monday and Thursday. In addition, the Docklands Light Railway is expected to shut down on Tuesday and Thursday due to a separate dispute involving RMT members over pay.
TfL said it has proposed a 3.4% wage increase, calling the offer reasonable, but added that it cannot meet the union’s demand for shorter working hours.
Some bus services in west, northwest, and southwest London may be impacted by separate strike action on Friday – Sunday (12-14 September). Other TfL services – including the Elizabeth line, London Overground and Trams – will be running, but will be extremely busy and may operate differently.
