RMT general secretary Mick Lynch says Network Rail has gone back on a pay offer
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Business leaders on Wednesday condemned a union for planning to cause six days of chaos for passengers after announcing a Tube strike and action on the national railways.
The RMT union on Tuesday night said about 10,000 of its members would hold a 24-hour action on the London Underground on Thursday November 3 — which is likely to bring the network to a near standstill.
The action, the latest protest in a long dispute with Transport for London over staff pensions and the loss of up to 600 station staff posts, will coincide with a strike on the London Overground.
November 3 will also see the first of three days of action by RMT members working at Network Rail, in a separate dispute over pay and job security.
The Network Rail walkouts — which will also happen on November 5 and 7 — will reduce rail services to about 20 per cent of normal. There will be a knock-on effect on each following day, when only 75 per cent of trains are expected to run.
There is also likely to be a big impact on the Elizabeth line, which is due to start “through running” - including direct services between Canary Wharf, the West End and Heathrow – on Sunday November 6.
Previous RMT action on Network Rail has reduced the Elizabeth line to an 8am-6pm service, due to the absence of signallers. TfL was in discussions with Network Rail on Wednesday to understand the likely impact.
Co-ordinated strikes on train companies could be announced later on Wednesday by the RMT.
TfL commissioner Andy Byford appealed to the RMT to call off its action on the Tube and London Overground.
He said there had been no changes to the TfL pension scheme “and no proposals for change”.
Richard Burge, chief executive of London Chamber of Commerce, said: “Another week of disruption to London’s transport network is a bitter pill to swallow for businesses and residents and it will dissuade tourists from visiting and spending money in the capital.
“Strikes cause enough disruption in isolation, but when coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, cost of doing business, soaring energy bills and inflation, they cause even greater damage to London and its economy.”
Dee Corsi, interim chief executive at New West End Company, said: "As the West End approaches its busiest time of the year, the proposed strike is a real blow to retailers and leisure operators gearing up for the festive season.
"We strongly encourage RMT to call off these strikes and allow businesses across the capital to start the festive season strongly."
The RMT said the latest Tube strike was called in continuation of its ongoing dispute with TfL and to co-ordinate action with members working at Network Rail.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch claimed Network Rail bosses had performed a “U-turn” on an improved pay offer.
Union chiefs were further antagonised when Network rail wrote directly to its members, a move it said was "undermining delicate talks".
Mr Lynch said: "Our members are livid with these duplicitous tactics, and they will now respond in kind with sustained strike action."
Network Rail denied there had been a U-turn and said the proposed settlement now included a longer guarantee of no compulsory redundancies under its modernisation plans
Tim Shoveller, Network Rail’s chief negotiator, said: "A two-year eight per cent deal, with discounted travel and a new extended job guarantee to January 2025, is on the table ready to be put to our staff.
"Unfortunately, the leadership of the RMT seem intent on more damaging strikes rather than giving their members a vote on our offer.”
Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said that laws imposing minimum service standards during strikes would be introduced.
“It is not acceptable to stop children getting to education, people getting to work,” she said. “Draining the economy of its potential because of the need for rail to move people around is not acceptable.”
