London Tube strike – latest: Victoria and Jubilee among lines disrupted during Friday rush hour
Follow our blog for updates
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Five Tube lines will be severely affected this morning by strike action taken by London Underground (LU) workers.
Transport for London (TfL) said the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines will be severely disrupted for 24 hours from 4.30am on Friday.
Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) members are also planning to strike on six other nights: this Saturday (27 November), and on Friday 3 December, Saturday 4, Friday 10, Saturday 11, and Friday 17.
As the strikes cross into Friday evening rush hour, only 58 per cent of the regularly scheduled service is running, Andy Lord, managing director of London Underground confirmed.
The Mayor of London said the strike action came at the “worst possible time” as shoppers attempted to attend Black Friday sales and Londoners anticipated the return of the Night Tube. Sadiq Khan urged RMT to return to negotiations after accusing the union of refusing to meet TfL for crunch talks yesterday.
The RMT has said that LU has abolished 200 Tube driver positions and has imposed “unacceptable and intolerable” new rotas on existing drivers to cover Night Tube services. The union says this would “wreck the work-life balance” of members.
Strike action was ‘avoidable’ RMT Union boss says
Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union boss, Mick Lynch said that several efforts were made to resolve issues with TfL and strike action was avoidable.
“This strike action, and its serious consequences in the run-up to Christmas, was avoidable if the Tube management hadn’t axed dedicated Night Tube staff and perfectly workable arrangements in order to cut staffing numbers and costs.
He added that the strike is about cuts to Night Tube staff after which is returning after pressure from women’s safety campaigners.
“This strike is about the ripping apart of popular and family-friendly agreements that helped make the original Night Tube such a success,” he said. “Instead the company want to cut costs and lump all drivers into a pool where they can be kicked from pillar to post at the behest of the management.”
Tube strike lines update
As Tube strikes continue this morning, this is the current service status across affected TfL train lines:
- Waterloo and City Line: Suspended
- Piccadilly Line: Suspended
- Central Line: Special service - Shuttle services are in operation between White City and Ealing Broadway Hainault and Liverpool Street, Leytonstone and Epping, Woodford and Hainault, and West Ruislip and North Acton. No service on the rest of the line
- Jubilee Line: Special service - Service is operating at a reduced frequency due to strike action.
- Northern Line: Special service - Service is operating at a reduced frequency due to strike action.
- Victoria Line: Special service - Service is operating at a reduced frequency due to strike action.
- Circle Line: Minor delays due to train cancellations
Tube strikes hit London Black Friday plans
As the Tube strikes continue across multiple train lines, Londoners have been forced to rethink their Black Friday shopping plans. The shopping event was poised to be a boost for retailers hard hit by the pandemic.
The New West End Company which represents 600 businesses in central London said the prospect of disruptions is “extremely frustrating,” the Financial Times reported.
“Just as trade and football is picking up, and hard hit businesses are seeing a Christmas boost, this will be a boost,” said Jace Tyrrell, the group’s chief executive.
Tube strike disruption ‘solely down to management failure’ union bosses say
RMT union general secretary Mick Lynch has said this morning’s disruptions are solely down to failures of TfL management.
“The Tube strike action this morning is rock solid in all depots and the widespread impact on services is solely down to management failure to recognise and address the anger of their staff at the imposition of damaging and unacceptable working practices,” Mick Lynch said.
He added: “Our members have spoken this morning and it’s time for London Underground to start listening.
“This is just the start of a programme of action and the mayor and his officials need to recognise our determination to defend progressive and family friendly working practices. We remain available for talks.”
London Underground and buses face cutbacks and cycle schemes could be axed without urgent funding
London’s bus services could be slashed by one-fifth and Tubes by almost one-tenth if the government does not step in with £1.9bn of extra cash, Sadiq Khan has warned.
It is the opening salvo of the latest in a series of running battles the capital’s mayor has had with the government over funding, which has been crunched due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Khan has traded blows with Boris Johnson, who preceded him as mayor, over the running of Transport for London (TfL) since Covid-19 hit and revenue plummeted thanks to a collapse in passenger numbers.
Our reporter Jon Sharman has the full story below:
Tubes and buses face cutbacks and cycle schemes could be axed without urgent funds
TfL suffering ‘unprecedented financial crisis’ due to Covid-19 and capital could be ‘dragged back to 1970s’
Piccadilly line opens reduced service as commuters take to the Tube
The Piccadilly line is now operating a special limited service between Arnos Grove and Cockfosters which is running approximately every eight minutes.
There is still no service on the rest of the line and the Waterloo and City line remains completely suspended due to strike action.
RMT union ‘rock solid’ amid strike battle
RMT representatives have tweeted pictures from the its ‘rock solid’ strike action picket line:
Transport secretary appeals to unions to ‘not disrupt lives'
Grant Shapps told LBC: “I absolutely appeal to the unions to not disrupt everyone’s lives. We have had enough disruption through coronavirus.
“This is a dispute between TfL, the workers there, and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, so I don’t have a direct role in it.
“I would just appeal for them to get round a table and get these services running. This is the last thing that Londoners need. I urge them to think again.”
London Underground boss apologises for disruption
The managing director of the London Underground has apologised for the disruptions faced by Londoners attempting to use the service today amid tube strikes.
Speaking on BBC Radio London Andy Lord said: “The vast majority of drivers are happy with the changes, it is a small minority who are striking.
“We are providing more flexible working rosters for all the drivers and those who wanted to stay as part-time on the Night Tube still are.
“I would encourage the RMT Union to get back round the table.”
Londoners face severe disruptions to transport services
Images show Londoners crammed onto Tube lines amid severe disruption to the service due to strikes.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments