The London-based transport operator has warned people that a “serious disruption” is expected on the tube on Monday, when 4,000 station workers are due to go on a 24-hour strike that will close much of the network.
Transport for London said there would be problems on all lines from the start of service on Monday until 8am on Tuesday, with a limited number of stations open. It was not advisable to travel on the metro during this period “unless necessary”.
The RMT union has called a strike in protest of TfL’s plans to cut 600 jobs to reduce costs. Only London Underground station staff will take part, instead of the 10,000 RMT members who left in March.
Sources close to the union said the scale of the exits meant the entire pipe network would have to be closed for safety reasons. TfL said: “Security is our top priority and we will do our best to keep as many services for our customers as safe as possible.”
Some subway stations had already been temporarily closed during the platinum jubilee holiday weekend because staff did not work overtime as part of RMT’s separate industrial action that began on Friday and is to be continued until July 10th.
Monday’s action means many stations, especially in central and south London, will be closed, while those that can be opened will only be open for limited periods. TfL said the situation is likely to change over the course of the day, depending on whether it has enough staff to keep the stations open safely.
If guests cannot avoid traveling on Monday, they are advised to travel after 8 am and complete their travel before 6 pm. TfL buses and other services, such as DLR, London Overground and trams, are not affected by the strike and will be in operation, but are expected to be busier than usual. The newly opened Elizabeth Line will be open from 7 a.m., although some stations may be open earlier, until 11 p.m.
TfL argues that it needs to push for staff changes to reduce running costs, with revenues still falling sharply since the start of the pandemic and London still dependent on additional emergency funding from the Treasury to balance the books. TfL said the government had ordered it to work to achieve the financial sustainability of its operations in April 2023.
Andy Lord, TfL’s chief operating officer, apologized to Londoners for the impact of the strike. “We know it will be detrimental to London and the economy, at a time when public transport plays a crucial role in the recovery of the capital,” he said.
“No changes have been proposed to the pensions and no one has or will lose their job as a result of the proposals we have set out. My message to the RMT is this: it is not too late to suspend tomorrow’s strike. “
TfL has proposed not to fill 500 to 600 vacancies as they become vacant, including 250 vacancies in the metro station. He said this would leave him with more than 4,500 station employees across the network, enough, he added, to help customers.
TfL met with RMT at the Acas conciliation service last week and, although no resolution was reached, said it was willing to continue talks.