RMT rolling strike across Tube and DLR

The RMT plans a seven day rolling strike across the Tube and DLR starting Sept 5 with staggered walkouts by different grades.

RMT launches seven day rolling strike across Tube and DLR

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has announced a seven day rolling strike across the Tube network and the DLR, beginning Friday September 5. The action will run with different grades taking part on specific days: on Sunday September 7 Track Access Controllers, London Underground Control Centre staff, Power and Control and ERU members will strike all day; on Monday September 8 all fleet, engineering, stations and train drivers will join; signallers will strike on Tuesday September 9; on Wednesday September 10 the full range of fleet, engineering, stations and train drivers will again walk out; and on Thursday September 11 signallers will strike. DLR staff are set to participate in the same period. Tube drivers are paid about £68,000 a year.

RMT says the dispute centers on pay and working conditions, including fatigue management, shift patterns and a shorter working week. The strike is expected to cause disruption across the Tube and DLR, complicating commutes and service planning for passengers and businesses.

The move highlights how wage disputes in public services can unfold in a dense urban system. A staggered schedule compounds planning difficulties for TfL and increases the likelihood of delays for millions of riders. The involvement of multiple grades across both the Tube and DLR broadens the disruption and raises the stakes for negotiations. The episode underlines a broader tension in essential services where inflation and cost of living collide with wage demands.

Beyond the transport impact, the standoff carries political and budget considerations for London. Public reaction and government stance on funding for TfL could shape future talks and service commitments. The outcome may set a benchmark for interdepartmental bargaining over pay, productivity, and safety rules across other city-run services.

Highlights

As talks resume, commuters will weigh disruptions against the possibility of a fair deal that improves working conditions.