London Tube strike – latest: Victoria and Jubilee among lines disrupted during Friday rush hour
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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.
Tube driver says colleagues ‘don’t understand’ strikes
A Tube driver has said many of his colleagues “don’t understand” why Tube strikes are taking place due to changes to night shifts.
“People are laughing at them,” the driver told LBC.
Update: Circle line severely disrupted
The Circle line is now facing severe disruptions according to Transport for London.
The line has been unaffected by the RMT strike - however TfL has said there are currently “severe delays” on the whole line due to “cancelled trains”.
Tube strikes are ‘unnecessary attack’ on Londoners, says London Assembly member
Conservative London Assembly member Emma Best called the tube strikes “an unnecessary attack on London’s commuters & visitors.”
Writing on Twitter, the deputy leader of Conservatives Waltham Forest said: “Other unions have already agreed the changes which ask drivers to work just four night shifts a year. For a global, 24/7 city, that is a wholly reasonable request.”
Tube strikes spark Steps concert fears
Furious Steps fans have taken to social media amid fears the Tube strikes will disrupt tonight’s concert by the iconic group.
Pop group Steps are due to play at the 02 Arena in North Greenwich tonight - a venue served by the Jubilee Line which is severely disrupted due to strike action.
Fans can expect busier train routes as they attempt to journey to the concert.
All the possible TfL strike action dates
Today marks the start of what could be weeks of strike action involving RMT union drivers.
Below are all the dates TfL could see strike action if an agreement is not reached between TfL and RMT:
4:30am 26 November – 04:29am 27 November (Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria)
8:30pm 27 November – 04:29am 28 November (Central & Victoria)
8:30pm 3 December – 04:29am 4 December (Central & Victoria)
8:30pm 4 December – 04:29am 5 December (Central & Victoria)
8:30pm 10 December – 04:29am 11 December (Central & Victoria)
8:30pm 11 December – 04:29am 12 December (Central & Victoria)
8:30pm 17 December – 04:29am 18 December (Central & Victoria)
04:30am 18 December – 04:29am 19 December (Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly & Victoria)
Sadiq Khan slams ‘disappointing’ union for not attending last minute resolution talks
The Mayor of London has hit out at Tube strike action today, branding it “unnecessary.”
“This unnecessary strike action by RMT is causing widespread disruption for millions of Londoners and will also hit London’s retail, culture and hospitality at the worst possible time,” Sadiq Khan said.
He also branded RMT “disappointing” for refusing to attend last-minute resolution talks with TfL yesterday.
“The Night Tube has an important part to play in our capital’s recovery and helps to improve safety for everyone, especially women and girls making their way home at night,” he added.
Over a third of Tube service impacted by strike action
Andy Lord, managing director of London Underground, said: “We are currently running 58 per cent of our usual scheduled service, despite the RMT’s strike action on five London Underground lines today, but there are significant impacts on the affected lines.
“This frustrating strike action is the last thing that London needs as it recovers from the pandemic and we have done everything we can to get this unnecessary action called off.
“We are doing all we can to provide as good a service as possible for Londoners and visitors on the Tube network today, with staff and travel ambassadors on hand at stations to assist customers. We’re advising everyone to check before they travel and leave more time for journeys.”
Uber Boat offers a helping hand to Steps fans
Uber Boat has announced it will offer an extended post-show service to help fans leave the 02 Arena after the Steps concert tonight.
Possible disruption for football fans this weekend
Football fans travelling across London could also face disruption travelling to matches over the coming weeks if strikes continue.
Arsenal, West Ham, Tottenham and Chelsea fans, in particular, can expect major disruption to weekend Premier League fixtures with proposed RMT strikes.
Strikes hit night workers badly, says Amy Lame
Mayor of London night czar Amy Lame highlighted the impact of the strikes on night workers.
She said: “The Night Tube is a crucial mode of transport for those working at night or out enjoying all the capital has to offer.
“Alongside @SadiqKhan I urge the RMT to come back to the table for talks.”
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