RMT, the UK’s largest transport union, is demanding higher pay and shorter working hours.
Printed On 8 Sep 2025
Members of the UK’s largest transport union have gone on strike in London, bringing town’s underground prepare system to a halt as tube companies are suspended.
The Nationwide Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Staff (RMT) stated about 10,000 members walked off their jobs on Sunday night time for the primary of 5 days of strikes over working hours and pay.
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The London Underground, which carries an estimated 5 million folks every day, confirmed on its web site that the entire capital metropolis’s underground tube traces have been both suspended or partially suspended except for the newly constructed Elizabeth Line, which took the pressure of commuters looking for different paths into town. The Transport for London (TfL) web site crashed on account of elevated internet site visitors.
Queues shaped outdoors Elizabeth Line stations, and platforms within the metropolis have been crowded. The remainder of London’s transport system and nationwide rail companies have been unaffected by the strike.
The BBC confirmed a picture from the Neasden prepare depot in northwest London exhibiting dozens of stationary tube carriages.
RMT members took positions on picket traces throughout tube stations in London as a part of the commercial motion, which started on Sunday at 6pm (17:00 GMT) and can proceed till Thursday.
The transport union determined to take strike motion after it rejected an annual pay improve of three.4 p.c from TfL, which is the general public physique answerable for working London’s buses, underground and different transport companies. RMT can be pushing for lowered working hours from 35 to 32 hours every week.
An RMT spokesperson stated: “We’re not happening strike to disrupt small companies or the general public. This strike goes forward due to the intransigent method of TfL administration and their refusal to even take into account a small discount within the working week with a view to assist cut back fatigue and the ill-health results of long-term shift work on our members.”
In a put up on X, RMT stated the tube was working with 2,000 fewer workers than earlier than the pandemic, which was leading to “excessive shifts (4 am begins, 1 am finishes) to maintain London shifting.” The put up added: “Fatigue and understaffing are a harmful combine.”
Kim Johnson, a left-wing MP for Liverpool, confirmed assist for the RMT members and stated on social media: “No employee needs to be put in danger by fatigue & excessive shift rotations”.
TfL says any discount in hours is “unaffordable and impractical”.
In a put up on X, London Mayor Sadiq Khan referred to as on TfL and RMT “to get across the desk and resolve their dispute”. He added: “No one desires to see strike motion – it causes critical disruption for Londoners, companies and guests alike.”
No talks are at the moment scheduled between RMT and TfL. Their final spherical of talks collapsed on Wednesday.
