Zarah ChoudharyTube train drivers, instructors, management grades, and those in the engineering section who are members of ASLEF, the train drivers’ union, will strike in November over a disagreement about pay.
Six months after the date that a pay agreement for 2024 should have been implemented, ASLEF’s executive committee gave notice that members working on the London Underground would strike to achieve a fair deal on pay and working conditions.
The current pay offer is 3.8%, plus a variable lump sum, which the union said meant drivers would stay on a lower salaries than those on other TFL services, despite working longer hours, and that driving grades would receive a lower pay rise than other grades.
Finn Brennan, ASLEF’s full-time organiser on London Underground, said: “We don’t want to go on strike – we don’t want to make travelling in and around the capital more difficult for passengers and we don’t want to lose a day’s pay – but we have been forced into this position because LU management won’t sit down properly and negotiate with us.”
A spokesperson at ASLEF added: “Our members voted by over 98% in favour of strike action, but Underground management are still refusing to even discuss key elements of our claim.
“They refuse to discuss any reduction in the working week or introducing paid meal relief to bring Underground drivers in line with those on the Elizebeth line and London Overground.”
The spokesperson said: “Underground management insists that any changes to pay ranges will be entirely at management discretion – effectively removing the union’s right to negotiate for our members in future.
“And management still refuses to commit to making changes to working arrangements and conditions, including pensions, only through agreement.
“ASLEF members have been extremely patient as talks have dragged on – with no real progress – for months on end.
“Sadly, it is clear, once again, that Underground management will only get serious about reaching a settlement if there is the prospect of strike action.
“That is why the ASLEF EC has decided to call action on LU for all train operator members, management members, and members of APD Transplant.”
A spokesperson from TfL said: “It is disappointing that ASLEF and the RMT have announced industrial action following our recent discussions over pay, terms and conditions.
“We have held several constructive discussions with our trade unions and, after considering their feedback, have made a revised offer with an average uplift of 4.6%, which rewards our staff for their hard work and benefits the lowest-paid staff the most.
“We are engaging with our unions in good faith, having increased our offer since talks began, and have invited our unions to meet again next week.
“Our offer is fair for our people and affordable for London, and we urge our unions to continue working with us to support London and the wider economy.”
TfL added that discussions will continue with all of their trade unions.
Alongside an annual increase, with a greater increase for those under £40,000, TfL proposed additional improvements including increased paternity leave.
The pay offer is a 3.8% uplift plus a further £450 payment, lifting it further based on current salary.
This was an increase of around 25% since talks began, and with the payments added would give uplifts of between 4.2% and 7.6% depending on current salary.
TfL noted that this uplift followed a 5% base pay increase with further payments lifting the increase to between 5.8% and 11%, as well as increases during the pandemic that were in advance of RPI and as high as 8.4%.
Train Operators and Instructor Operators will not book on for duty between 00.01 and 23.59 on Thursday 7th and Tuesday 12th November.
Management grades will book on for duty between 00.01 and 23.59 on Thursday 7th and Tuesday 12th November.
There is an overtime ban in place from 00.01 on Sunday 3rd November to 23.59 on Saturday 16th November.
