London Underground and DLR hit by seven-day RMT strikes

London is bracing for widespread disruption as the RMT union announces rolling strikes across the capital’s Tube network for seven days starting Friday, September 5, with workers on the Docklands Light Railway also walkouts during the same period. The action, staged by different grades at different times, is intended to press management on pay, fatigue management, extreme shift patterns and a proposed reduction in the standard working week, with the union accusing Transport for London of failing to honour previous agreements. Officials say the strikes will have a significant impact on services and travel around the city.

The dispute centers on a package of concerns raised by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union. The RMT says management has refused to engage seriously with demands around better pay, safeguards against fatigue, more predictable rostering, and health considerations linked to demanding schedules. It also cites unresolved issues around staff travel arrangements. The union notes that these concerns have not been adequately addressed for years and says an atmosphere of distrust has grown as staff feel they are not being listened to. General Secretary Eddie Dempsey...