Tube strikes cancelled: Next week’s London Underground strike dates called off by RMT and Aslef unions

Train drivers’ union Aslef hailed the ‘major step forward’ as the industrial action was called off

A series of Tube strikes were planned for next week (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

By Joe Duggan

July 21, 2023 12:12 pm

Strikes planned for next week on the London Underground that were set to cause chaos for millions of commuters have been called off.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) and Aslef unions have suspended planned industrial action on the Tube, Transport for London (TfL) confirmed.

Aslef drivers had been due to walk out next Wednesday and Friday, with Tube station staff for the RMT poised to walkout on Sunday until Saturday.

Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser on the London Underground, said: “After a week of intense negotiations, we have made real progress in making sure our members’ working conditions and pensions are protected from the impact of the Tory Government cuts to TfL funding.

“There will be no changes to pension benefits before the next general election. And any future changes to working conditions and agreements will only be made by negotiation. This is a major step forward.”

The RMT announced it had suspended all strike action planned for next week on London Underground after progress was made in its dispute over pensions and jobs.

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Union leaders claimed “significant concessions” were made by TfL whose original plans for jobs cuts and pension changes would not be carried out, they said.

RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “There has been significant progress made by our negotiating team in ACAS talks with TfL.

“However this is not the end of the dispute nor is it a victory for the union as yet. Our members were prepared to engage in significant disruptive industrial action and I commend their resolve.”

But he warned that RMT’s strike mandate would remain until October, with the union “prepared to use it if necessary”.

London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, said the negotiations had been successfully completed “despite the onerous funding deal conditions imposed by the Government”.

“I want to thank the RMT, Aslef and Unite who worked really closely with TfL to pull these strikes off for next week,” he added.

“Negotiations are what it is all about. Our transport workers were heroes during the pandemic keeping transport going to allow key workers to get to work.”

This story is being updated