RMT industrial action 5th - 12 September 2025

[weeklycommuter]

Better news on the buses. Unite has confirmed that one of the two disputes has been settled and the strikes on those bus services have been called off. The other dispute continues but further negotiations are planned.

London bus strike planned for weekend partly called off

Some Unite union members have accepted a pay offer following negotatiations

www.bbc.co.uk

Planned weekend bus strike partly called off

A bus workers' strike that was set to disrupt scores of bus routes in the capital over the coming weekend has been largely called off, the Unite union has said.
Drivers, engineers and controllers on about 60 routes in north-west and south-west London had been due to strike from 05:00 BST on Friday 12 September until the evening of Sunday 14 September.
Unite union members have been involved in a dispute over pay and conditions with their employers - bus companies London United and London Transit.
On Wednesday, the majority of workers due to strike - London United employees -accepted a pay offer and cancelled their planned walkout, Unite confirmed.
Further negotiations between Unite and London Transit are due to take place.
If no agreement is made, some industrial action will go ahead and is likely to affect bus routes 13/N13, 23/N23, 31/N31, 218, 295/N295 and 452.
First Bus, which owns the two bus operators, said it had made an above-inflation offer.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Sep 2025 ==

The Mayor of London was clearly not going to say to the press that he found more money in January 2024 because he wanted to avoid a strike three months before the vote in which he was standing for re-election. Some other reasons had to be given.

He would be a liar then.

I assume his statement to the press is the truth and nothing but the truth but not necessarily the whole truth. I assume the reasons given are true but not necessarily the whole story.

 

[BostonGeorge]

Presumably it is in their "gift", they just have to pay the rail companies for it.

The Rail Delivery Group is set to be incorporated into the state-owned Great British Railways, so it would have perhaps been prudent for the government to insist upon the RDG offering PRIV's to TfL staff, which would have cost a relatively small amount of money compared to an entire week of strike action in London.

 

[43066]

Presumably it is in their "gift", they just have to pay the rail companies for it.

Or potentially offer some form of reciprocity. The problem is that it’s difficult for LU to do that as clearly many TOC staff don’t live in London so it wouldn’t be seen as desirable.

I assume his statement to the press is the truth and nothing but the truth but not necessarily the whole truth. I assume the reasons given are true but not necessarily the whole story.

So exactly the same could be said for the statement that he isn’t going to be intervening this time!

 

[35B]

The Rail Delivery Group is set to be incorporated into the state-owned Great British Railways, so it would have perhaps been prudent for the government to insist upon the RDG offering PRIV's to TfL staff, which would have cost a relatively small amount of money compared to an entire week of strike action in London.

Why would DfT instruct GBR to take on that cost, when the whole policy since at least Grouping has been that the Underground is not part of the main line railway?

 

[Richardr]

The Rail Delivery Group is set to be incorporated into the state-owned Great British Railways, so it would have perhaps been prudent for the government to insist upon the RDG offering PRIV's to TfL staff, which would have cost a relatively small amount of money compared to an entire week of strike action in London.

Effectively you are saying that there should be further subsidy from central government to TfL?

 

[Russel]

Why would DfT instruct GBR to take on that cost, when the whole policy since at least Grouping has been that the Underground is not part of the main line railway?

Maybe not in the traditional sense, but the Underground is part of a mass-transit system that includes the Overground and Elizabeth Line, who presumably do get PRIV?

 

[Simon11]

It could become a very slippery slope if you give TfL staff PRIV.

Give it a few months and I could quickly see Mainline staff wanting TfL benefits for free travel.......

While free to issue, it will result in lost income that has to come from somewhere.

 

[43066]

It could become a very slippery slope if you give TfL staff PRIV.

Give it a few months and I could quickly see Mainline staff wanting TfL benefits for free travel.......

While free to issue, it will result in lost income that has to come from somewhere.

An insignificant number of staff in the grand scheme of things, many of whom live nowhere near London and rarely visit, and thereby a small cost.

 

[Backroom_boy]

How long could RMT members hold out? Birmingham UNITE binmen have been on strike for six months now; I assume UNITE can fund strike pay for them?

 

[35B]

Maybe not in the traditional sense, but the Underground is part of a mass-transit system that includes the Overground and Elizabeth Line, who presumably do get PRIV?

Easily lost sight of, but Overground and EL are "main line" operators and separate from the Underground.

 

[bluegoblin7]

Except of course, once again, LU staff did get Priv until 1996 and there are plenty of ‘mainline’ staff who get some element of Priv on LU as it is.

 

[Russel]

Easily lost sight of, but Overground and EL are "main line" operators and separate from the Underground.

I'm aware of that, but they are also an integral part of the TFL network, as is the underground.

Other than cost, I can't see any sensible reason for the Underground not being included.

 

[bramling]

Effectively you are saying that there should be further subsidy from central government to TfL?

It isn’t really a subsidy. The cost of it is not even money down the back of the sofa territory.

 

[greyman42]

Give it a few months and I could quickly see Mainline staff wanting TfL benefits for free travel.......

How would they justify that claim?

 

[whoosh]

All commentary I've heard around these strikes both in media and personally has also been negative towards drivers.

It's always the same. The ticket office closure dispute had how much tube drivers were earning as the headlines - which was nothing to do with that dispute!

This time, I came across an article in the Independent, saying how much tube drivers were on as a 'starting salary' - completely failing to mention that ASLEF, who represent the majority of tube drivers aren't on strike, nor that the 'starting salary' is THE salary, whether you've done 1 year or 10/20/30/40 years.

Balanced news articles just don't seem to happen anymore. If they ever did much.

 

[Snow1964]

Balanced news articles just don't seem to happen anymore. If they ever did much.

These days many news articles are just jazzed up copies (with selected facts) of press releases. They are not researched articles where a reporter has phoned press office to check facts.

To be fair to modern news media, the RMT doesn't usually give a list of facts in a notes to Editors section of its press releases, so instead the media go and use any fact they can easily obtain from elsewhere even if only semi-relevant

 

[weeklycommuter]

All London bus strikes have now been called off.

London bus strikes cancelled after week of TfL chaos

Travel should be back to business as usual from tomorrow

www.mylondon.news

All London First bus strikes set to go ahead this weekend have been called off. Londoners who have been dodging Tube strikes all week will be glad to hear travel should be back to business as usual from tomorrow (Friday, September 11).

Part of the strike was called off on Wednesday, when the majority of workers due to strike accepted a pay offer from employer London United. Now, London Transit employees have also cancelled their planned walkout after reaching a resolution with employer London Transit, Unite the Union told MyLondon.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Sep 2025 ==

Report in the Guardian on the ways people having been coping with the strike this week on the London Underground.

Limited tube services resume as strikes disrupt London for third day

Central, Northern and District lines partly running as RMT presses Sadiq Khan for talks over shorter working week

www.theguardian.com

Some of the gridlock seen during pre-Covid tube strikes was averted as commuters worked from home and used the Elizabeth line, opened in 2022. Growing numbers have also turned to bikes to navigate London’s congested roads – and even boats, avoiding the streets.
Buses, the Elizabeth line and London Overground have taken on much of the strain, collectively carrying about 1 million extra passengers daily, according to TfL’s contactless data. Overall usage of TfL’s modes has been down about 20% compared with normal numbers, with many people either staying home or cycling.
The capital’s ebike providers have been big beneficiaries of the strikes and an invaluable aid on gridlocked roads towards central London.
Lime said it had an upsurge of 78% more hires than the previous Wednesday. Forest reported Tuesday morning rush-hour rides at four times normal levels and 20,000 new app downloads on Monday alone.
TfL said its Santander cycle scheme also saw a surge with almost 20,000 hires by 3pm, up 93% on the usual figure.
Meanwhile, the Uber-branded Thames Clipper boats reported total passenger numbers up 66% on Tuesday compared with a week earlier.

 

[BostonGeorge]

Effectively you are saying that there should be further subsidy from central government to TfL?

Not at all. It will take a while to implement anyway. Fingers cannot be clicked to make this happen tomorrow. Great British Railways is tentatively predicted to go live at the back end of 2026. If the RDG to say this issue will be taken up after the launch of Great British Railways, it may be enough to prevent further week long strike action. If TfL aren't going to budge on the 32 hour week, ground needs to be conceded elsewhere.

 

[Snow1964]

If TfL aren't going to budge on the 32 hour week, ground needs to be conceded elsewhere.

Sorry, but I think you need to explain why something has to be conceded, rather than no change to existing terms and conditions staying as previously agreed.

TfL didn't ask for the latest dispute, so I cannot understand why you expect them to automatically concede something, when all the unreasonableness is on the other side.

 

[Horizon22]

He does seem to be keeping rather a low profile...

It certainly annoyed TfL no end last time when he suddenly found all that cash as it blew their negotiating strategy out of the water…perhaps he’s been told to (publicly) stay away.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Sep 2025 ==

Easily lost sight of, but Overground and EL are "main line" operators and separate from the Underground.

Hence why they were running this week!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Sep 2025 ==

It's always the same. The ticket office closure dispute had how much tube drivers were earning as the headlines - which was nothing to do with that dispute!

This time, I came across an article in the Independent, saying how much tube drivers were on as a 'starting salary' - completely failing to mention that ASLEF, who represent the majority of tube drivers aren't on strike, nor that the 'starting salary' is THE salary, whether you've done 1 year or 10/20/30/40 years.

Balanced news articles just don't seem to happen anymore. If they ever did much.

I think people often think “trains aren’t running, drivers must be striking”. Obviously incorrect, but it’s an impression that’s hard to shift.

There was a lot of this during the NR strikes where signallers were on strike - remember the reduced 0700-1900 running but only on key routes - even though mess rooms were bursting with newly realised ‘spare’ diagrams.

 

[35B]

Sorry, but I think you need to explain why something has to be conceded, rather than no change to existing terms and conditions staying as previously agreed.

TfL didn't ask for the latest dispute, so I cannot understand why you expect them to automatically concede something, when all the unreasonableness is on the other side.

I think that presumes the unreasonableness is one sided. While I am no fan of RMT, I find it hard to believe that a dispute could get this backing without reciprocal problems. Comments from LUL staff, not necessarily always ones I expect to toe the line, reinforce that perception.

How both employer and unions handle things with cash limited will be a test for us all.

 

[bramling]

How would they justify that claim?

It’s likely that if LU was included in PRIV then mainline staff would get a reciprocal arrangement on TFL anyway, as part of the deal. That’s how it seems to work elsewhere.

Any revenue lost is a total drop in the ocean. The vast majority of mainline staff will very rarely use TFL. It would only really be of regular use to those in the London area - and depending on the terms of any agreement may only be for leisure use anyway.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Sep 2025 ==

Sorry, but I think you need to explain why something has to be conceded, rather than no change to existing terms and conditions staying as previously agreed.

TfL didn't ask for the latest dispute, so I cannot understand why you expect them to automatically concede something, when all the unreasonableness is on the other side.

Part of the issue is that TFL staff have had below-inflation pay increases for some time now. TFL are saying they have a finite amount of money to spend on a pay rise, hence why other issues are entering into things.

TFL don’t have to concede, but equally the union (and by definition) staff are within their rights to feel their remuneration is falling behind, especially bearing in mind the oft-quoted cost of living pressures over the last few years.

 

[Bigbru]

Easily lost sight of, but Overground and EL are "main line" operators and separate from the Underground.

Overground and EL are fortunate in getting both Priv and 2 Oyster cards

 

[weeklycommuter]

Transport for London has proposed talks with the RMT next Wednesday 17 September on finding a resolution to the dispute.
I wish the press would not describe these as "peace talks". It is an industrial dispute, not a war.

Tube strike breakthrough? TfL offers RMT peace talks next week to avoid more walkouts

Sadiq Khan escapes grilling over Tube strikes: crisis mentioned for just three minutes in three-hour mayor’s question time session

www.standard.co.uk

Mr Dent said that TfL “remain committed to finding a resolution to the dispute” and invited the Tube’s biggest union the chance to take part in talks next Wednesday, September 17.

 

[Horizon22]

Any revenue lost is a total drop in the ocean. The vast majority of mainline staff will very rarely use TFL. It would only really be of regular use to those in the London area - and depending on the terms of any agreement may only be for leisure use anyway.

I’m not sure about that necessarily. I think a lot of TfL staff now live outside of London due to the increased cost of housing. I’ve definitely seen a lot more TfL uniforms on mainline operators towards Home Counties hubs in the last 10 years.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I’m not sure about that necessarily. I think a lot of TfL staff now live outside of London due to the increased cost of housing. I’ve definitely seen a lot more TfL uniforms on mainline operators towards Home Counties hubs in the last 10 years.

This has been the case for years, the 03xx from MKC to Euston tends to be mostly TfL staff, or at least was on the rare occasion I've used it.

I thought Priv was strictly leisure travel only and not commuting?

 

[dk1]

This has been the case for years, the 03xx from MKC to Euston tends to be mostly TfL staff, or at least was on the rare occasion I've used it.

I thought Priv was strictly leisure travel only and not commuting?

Priv season tickets were permitted. So much mileage was free.

 

[bramling]

This has been the case for years, the 03xx from MKC to Euston tends to be mostly TfL staff, or at least was on the rare occasion I've used it.

I thought Priv was strictly leisure travel only and not commuting?

On the latter point, the answer is it depends. The version that pre-96 LU staff have can be used for work journeys, but only if bought in the form of a season ticket. Whether this would apply to any new agreement would depend on the terms of what LU agree with the RDG.

I *presume* this current dispute revolves more around leisure travel however. Simply because LU already offer their staff various forms of discounted NR work travel. A couple of TOCs have a reciprocal arrangement, whilst TFL I believe still reimburse 75% of a NR season ticket, and I’ve heard this has recently been extended to daily tickets as well. So there isn’t really a massive benefit for staff work travel - though PRIV would be tax-free whereas the reimbursement isn’t. Bit still not enough of a difference to go to dispute over.

 

[Mawkie]

I *presume* this current dispute revolves more around leisure travel however. Simply because LU already offer their staff various forms of discounted NR work travel.

Correct.

A couple of TOCs have a reciprocal arrangement, whilst TFL I believe still reimburse 75% of a NR season ticket

Correct again.

For the avoidance of doubt, the current dispute is regarding a Leisure Priv.

 

[Horizon22]

This has been the case for years, the 03xx from MKC to Euston tends to be mostly TfL staff, or at least was on the rare occasion I've used it.

I thought Priv was strictly leisure travel only and not commuting?

It certainly is for other TOC staff. A discounted season ticket is actually required not a Priv but the two often get conflated and interpreted as the same thing.

In the regard if we are strictly talking about leisure (technically the Rail Staff Leisure card), then the economic costs would be relatively minor. NWR staff recently got this so would be interesting if stats were available (unlikely) as a comparison, although of course there might be some induced demand.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Sep 2025 ==

Correct.

Correct again.

For the avoidance of doubt, the current dispute is regarding a Leisure Priv.

GTR is one I believe.