RMT industrial action 5th - 12 September 2025

[bramling]

It’s worth noting that drivers will have the choice of switching to a 4 day or remaining on a 5 day with the same framework limitations and terms and condition. Older drivers can stay as they are.

How it will work in practice remains to be seen but as the company has proposed this compromise then it’s definitely a ‘them’ problem to solve and I believe the unions are currently seeking clarification on how this will work in the real world.

I don’t think anyone seriously believes that it will be possible to function with a mix of 4 and 5 day weeks. And this is part of the problem, LU has messed so many things up over recent years that it’s now impossible for them to give credible assurances on anything.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2025 ==

It's also really important that we continue to clarify that the 4-day week that is being trialled is for compressed hours, rather than a reduction in hours. This increases the likelihood and risk of fatigue, and does not necessarily correlate to more 'quality time' off - not to mention all the other negatives already raised in this thread.

100%. Shift work is already challenging enough, without bringing in things which will make it worse. As a cohort, the general health of LU drivers isn’t great as it is, for obvious reasons.

 

[thomalex]

I think that the RMT are not expecting the strike to last all week as the weak government that we now unfortunately have will back down.

It’s worth remembering that Sadiq found £30mil down the back of the sofa to avert the strikes last time (although there were elections coming up soon then). I’m sure some in RMT thought something similar may have happened again.

 

[43066]

If they make requests like a 9% reduction in working week from 35 to 32 hours (without corresponding 9% cut in pay), then their paymasters are hardly likely to back down.

An alternative way to think about it is would need nearly 10% more staff, which obviously increases costs by 10%.

So unless RMT are away with the fairies, believing there is a magic money tree, to cover this 10% extra staff, then it didn't really matter if strike was 1 day, 1 week, or 1 month, it was never going to be agreed to. Don't get me wrong I understand idea of unions aim to improving pay and conditions, but not a barmy unfunded jump to a level that virtually no one else in the country gets.

A lot of the above is simply wrong and doesn’t reflect how railway rostering works: a modest reduction in hours may well be matched by staff being more productive when at work as longer shifts equal less downtime to book on and off etc. “magic money tree” (that phrase again) may well be the fact that LU returns a significant surplus, and the reduction in hours for a more productive but shorter week may be further offset if voluntary overtime is introduced - made easier by a four day weeks.

Virtually no one else in the country works the kind of extreme shift work that railway workers experience. The 35 hour week is not 9-5 Monday Thursday with every evening and every weekend off.

Tube workers might also wonder why they don’t get paid meal breaks when many other front line rail staff are paid for every minute they’re at work.

 

[bramling]

It’s worth remembering that Sadiq found £30mil down the back of the sofa to avert the strikes last time (although there were elections coming up soon then). I’m sure some in RMT thought something similar may have happened again.

Part of the problem is that LU have allowed the whole thing to become so multi-faceted that it’s now going to be quite difficult just to throw money at the issue and hope it goes away (or at least the can gets kicked further along the road).

Unfortunately the gremlins have been released from the box, and it’s going to prove hard to put them back in.

 

[weeklycommuter]

This is the Docklands Light Railway RMT strike ballot result for the strikes on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 September. I do not know the details of this dispute as all the news has been about the strike on the London Underground.

Docklands Light Railway

News, reports and information for Docklands Light Railway staff.

rmtlondoncalling.org.uk

DLR ballot successful
Submitted by Admin on 29 July, 2025 - 21:37
RATES OF PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE 2025 - KEOLIS AMEY DOCKLANDS (DLR/0001)
Further to my previous Circular (IR/267/25, 18th July 2025), the ballot has concluded with members' voting as follows:
Are you prepared to take strike action?
Number of individuals who were entitled to vote in the ballot: 624
Number of votes cast in the ballot: 433
Number of individuals answering “Yes” to the question: 413

 

[DavyCrocket]

Part of the problem is that LU have allowed the whole thing to become so multi-faceted that it’s now going to be quite difficult just to throw money at the issue and hope it goes away (or at least the can gets kicked further along the road).

Unfortunately the gremlins have been released from the box, and it’s going to prove hard to put them back in.

Also that the TfL management that now refer to themselves as people leaders are so disconnected and lack any influence from the real world of running a railway, there is zero respect for them and vice versa. They are never seen. There is just the next hare brained idea sent down from a graduate to be implemented, it doesn’t work, but that is not important as it still counts as adding “change management” to their LinkedIn.

For some staff, this strike is an opportunity to send a message as day to day there is nothing positive that improves either their work environment, staffing numbers, reduction in violence from public or improves the information and kit available to those running the railway

 

[Mattplans]

Not sure how much support the union has from the public this time.

Do striking rail staff ever really have support from the public?


Does anyone know what a TfL Ambassador is. Thanks

 

[Mawkie]

Do striking rail staff ever really have support from the public?

No, and I don't concern myself with that.

Does anyone know what a TfL Ambassador is. Thanks

They are (usually) office staff who have a few hours training and stand in as CSAs for events and strike days.

 

[35B]

Do striking rail staff ever really have support from the public?

It varies. And that public opinion is one of the factors in public sector strikes that will influence the politicians on whom a decision ultimately rests. More support for the strikers equals more pressure on politicians to change their position.

 

[J663738]

Not sure how much support the union has from the public this time.

Other than on here, I would [say] next to none!
On a day when the French Government has been brought down, due to basically living beyond it means, I think the UK public might well be ahead of the game.

edit typo

 

[35B]

Other than on here, I would next to none!
On a day when the French Government has been brought down, due to basically living beyond it means, I think the UK public might well be ahead of the game.

I wouldn't draw the same conclusion about the parallel with the French Government, given the opposition wished to keep spending at those higher levels.

 

[1000 rounders]

From what I understand, money in funding the 4 day week was not a problem, LU will try and get it back from productivity.

To this end if some drivers do not want a longer working day, or alterations to spare arrangements, then they will never get a reduction in the working week.

The railway had to move on certain aspects, LU are behind in this way of thinking.

 

[Mattplans]

No, and I don't concern myself with that.

They are (usually) office staff who have a few hours training and stand in as CSAs for events and strike days.

That is what I had assumed - thanks. Is there a difference in uniform or anything that makes them stand out per se in differentiation from the normal CSAs

 

[Mojo]

That is what I had assumed - thanks. Is there a difference in uniform or anything that makes them stand out per se in differentiation from the normal CSAs

Ambassadors don’t wear uniform, there are licensed ambassadors who can make up minimum numbers at stations and whom wear orange Hi-Vis, and there are non-licensed who can cover unpaid and non-station areas just providing information who wear pink tabards.

 

[bramling]

That is what I had assumed - thanks. Is there a difference in uniform or anything that makes them stand out per se in differentiation from the normal CSAs

I don’t think they wear uniform, just get given a tabard to wear (this certainly used to be the case, unless things have changed). Most of them think the whole thing is a bit of a laugh, until they get spat at or someone threatens to stab them, then it isn’t quite so exciting any more.

 

[Florence Rox]

That is what I had assumed - thanks. Is there a difference in uniform or anything that makes them stand out per se in differentiation from the normal CSAs

Ambassadors tend to wear a hi vis over their normal clothes

 

[bramling]

From what I understand, money in funding the 4 day week was not a problem, LU will try and get it back from productivity.

To this end if some drivers do not want a longer working day, or alterations to spare arrangements, then they will never get a reduction in the working week.

The railway had to move on certain aspects, LU are behind in this way of thinking.

Those who are against the whole thing I don’t think are particularly bothered about getting a reduction in their working hours. What they are more bothered about is not being fatigued in their spare time as a result of longer shifts, and not having a safety incident at work through being fatigued (or, for that matter, bored).

 

[Jimini]

Those who are against the whole thing I don’t think are particularly bothered about getting a reduction in their working hours. What they are more bothered about is not being fatigued in their spare time as a result of longer shifts, and not having a safety incident at work through being fatigued (or, for that matter, bored).

Wow.

 

[BostonGeorge]

Ambassadors don’t wear uniform, there are licensed ambassadors who can make up minimum numbers at stations and whom wear orange Hi-Vis, and there are non-licensed who can cover unpaid and non-station areas just providing information who wear pink tabards.

It's well worth pointing out licensed ambassadors are able to perform platform duties, security checks etc. Anything a CSA can do, a licensed ambassador can also do. Here is where it sucks - licensed ambassadors are paid £30 an hour at weekends, so they are earning a higher hourly rate than rostered CSA's. What a wonderful way to suck morale out of the workforce. There could be a veteran CSA of some 30 years being paid a lower hourly rate than some spotty graduate who is there to learn how to be a union busting asset for the organisation during times of industrial action. This is why 'action short of a strike' includes rostered station staff refusing to familiarise ambassadors. If they are not familiarised, they cannot work on the station.

 

[Railguy1]

There seems to be quite an unpleasant tone towards graduates in some recent posts. Surely anger or frustration at problems in any company should be directed more towards existing poor policies and management as opposed to new hires who are simply following orders?

 

[Russel]

It varies. And that public opinion is one of the factors in public sector strikes that will influence the politicians on whom a decision ultimately rests. More support for the strikers equals more pressure on politicians to change their position.

A good point well made and one quite often forgotten when discussing rail unions and public opinion.

 

[WAB]

It's well worth pointing out licensed ambassadors are able to perform platform duties, security checks etc. Anything a CSA can do, a licensed ambassador can also do. Here is where it sucks - licensed ambassadors are paid £30 an hour at weekends, so they are earning a higher hourly rate than rostered CSA's. What a wonderful way to suck morale out of the workforce. There could be a veteran CSA of some 30 years being paid a lower hourly rate than some spotty graduate who is there to learn how to be a union busting asset for the organisation during times of industrial action. This is why 'action short of a strike' includes rostered station staff refusing to familiarise ambassadors. If they are not familiarised, they cannot work on the station.

Think of it as the same supply and demand that gets frontline staff their salaries which are in excess of similar roles in other industries. The office staff need to be persuaded to do the work somehow...

 

[156421]

Today sees the first day of the DLR strikes, plus Tuesday is generally a busier day than Monday. Going to be interesting to see how the network fares compared to yesterday.

 

[weeklycommuter]

The public don’t need to be convinced of anything - what is clear is that RMT can bring the network to a halt without ASLEF involvement - therefore it’s likely that concessions will be forthcoming to prevent further such action.

I am surprised that this damaging strike has been allowed to go ahead by all parties involved. Why also would the union choose to deploy the extreme option of a 1-week virtually total shutdown of the tube network. Wouldn't an initial 1-day strike serve as the first shot, then escalation could follow? This is way too harmful to the travelling public.

I think that the RMT are not expecting the strike to last all week as the weak government that we now unfortunately have will back down.

The advent of the Elizabeth Line, frequent Overground services, and dockless bike hire schemes means that people have a lot more ways to get around the city.
The strikes are inconvenient, but don't make it as difficult for people to get to where they need to vs historically.

Monday, the first day of the strikes which are closing down London Underground, has come and gone. We are now into Tuesday which is day 2 of 4. Despite the Government statement urging TfL and the RMT to settle and end the dispute, the Government and the Mayor of London have not so far done anything or made any concessions to try to end the strikes.

We shall have to see what happens in the remaining three days but at present it looks like the Government and the Mayor of London have decided to let these strikes continue to the end and not make any concessions to end the strikes. Perhaps the Government and the Mayor of London have decided that with the ability for many people to work from home and the availability of the Elizabeth Line as an alternative to many Underground and DLR journeys they can ride these strikes out.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Correct, 2025 pay deal has not been accepted by any union yet.

The strike ballot was a culmination of multiple issues - the late pay awards are a bit of a chicken and egg situation at this stage - once one gets pushed back it follows that they all will, unless a multi-year deal is accepted. There's always been a lag between acceptance and implementation - the 2024 deal wasn't accepted until late in the year.

Similar situation in Royal Mail. Pay negotiations began in January for the 2025/26 financial year settlement due w/c 31st March. Agreement reached on 29th June. Voted on in August. Implementation date w/c 22 September, backpay on26 September.
There was a note that any staff who left the business on 28th June or earlier will not get backpay. Seems a bit off to me; they worked for the business and would have got the extra money had the deal concluded ahead of the 31st March !!

 

[43066]

We shall have to see what happens in the remaining three days but at present it looks like the Government and the Mayor of London have decided to let these strikes continue to the end and not make any concessions to end the strikes. Perhaps the Government and the Mayor of London have decided that with the ability for many people to work from home and the availability of the Elizabeth Line as an alternative to many Underground and DLR journeys they can ride these strikes out.

I’m not sure that’s a safe assumption at all. We have no idea what discussions are being held in the background. A £250m cost to the economy is the conservative estimate I’ve seen bandied about; the mayor and the government won’t want that to continue or be repeated.

The DLR and Elizabeth line - while important in their own right - are not an alternative to the majority of the tube network.

 

[Nym]

There seems to be quite an unpleasant tone towards graduates in some recent posts. Surely anger or frustration at problems in any company should be directed more towards existing poor policies and management as opposed to new hires who are simply following orders?

The almost indoctrination of TfL Graduates has been going on for years in TfL senior leadership's "Keep London Moving" mantra, pitting the graduate and to a degree apprentice hires against the operational hires.
After TfL realised it can defecate from a great height on it's non-operational grades to cover operational roles around 2012, it has been getting steadily worse with behaviours towards non-operational grades (in general!) getting worse from operational grades as resentment grows relating to the way that senior leadership weaponizes them in their anti-union rhetoric.

Then...

When they come for you (the non-operational grades) with some changes like,
Re-applying for your own job.
Removal of specialisations.
Real terms pay cuts indefinitely with non-consolidated (not pensionable) "enhancements" in lieu of true pay rises.
Dis-connection of operational bonuses, even for operational support roles in the non-ops side of the business.
Removal of overtime.
Removal of shift enhancements.
Translation of grading to banding, where grades are all at the top of the bands, so the band equalisation model puts you into true pay cuts territory.
Forcing out-sourcing of all engaging and interesting work rather than in-house completion and use of external contract resource for appropriate functions.

I could go on, but this turns into quite the rant, if you look hard all of the above is already public.

And guess what, the operational grades that your teams strike broke for in 'keep London moving', including to the level of signing off train preparation and control room roles, won't come out in support of your roles being [insert choice word here]-ed over.

Put short, TfL has put TfL's non-operational grades in this position of resentment, and very little of it has to do with the natural believes of at least half of that workforce, and much more to do with the behaviours that TfL expects these grades to exhibit, and places on them as part of the performance management processes in combination with internal press and forceful behaviours from line and senior management.

 

[bramling]

Wow.

Not sure why this should be a surprise. 8 hours performing a repetitive role, in hot, dusty conditions, often with long periods in tunnel, without making any kind of error, is potentially rather challenging.

Remember that all an error needs to be is missing someone caught in a door and dragging them. Station stops potentially every 2 or 3 minutes, remember. That’s a lot of times in an 8-hour shift, let alone a longer one.

It’s all very well people saying that mainline drivers do it, however there’s very few places on the mainline that come close to LU levels of intensity. Southeastern metro is possibly the only one which even starts to approach it. Possibly Merseyrail now the drivers are essentially doing the doors.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Sep 2025 ==

There seems to be quite an unpleasant tone towards graduates in some recent posts. Surely anger or frustration at problems in any company should be directed more towards existing poor policies and management as opposed to new hires who are simply following orders?

Doesn’t really help when staff see graduates come in, make a total hash of everything they touch, display an awful attitude of steamrollering their own ideas in without listening to feedback from those with significant experience and knowledge, putting their proverbial fingers in their ears when it all goes wrong, and then next thing the said graduate is seen to have been promoted.

In all fairness, this doesn’t apply to all, but unfortunately it absolutely does apply to some, hence why there’s a lot of negativity.

The list of shambles on LU is very long unfortunately. The fit for the future stations is the worst example, but there’s plenty of others, both on a company-wide and more local level.

 

[Goldfish62]

I think that the RMT are not expecting the strike to last all week as the weak government that we now unfortunately have will back down.

The government doesn't control TfL.

I think it's obvious now that the strike will last all week. Passengers are adapting. The Underground, while essential, isn't quite as essential as it used to be.

 

[Nym]

In all fairness, this doesn’t apply to all, but unfortunately it absolutely does apply to some, hence why there’s a lot of negativity.

That seems to be reflecting TfL's choice in which behaviours they value in their graduate recruitment.

There was a lot of paper competency and box ticking in the mid 2010s graduates and onwards. But the competency in the applicable trade, seems it may have been less of a priority.