Tube strikes: Two walk-outs cancelled after breakthrough in talks
Two 24 hour strikes by Aslef tube drivers were planned on Monday 8 April and Saturday 4 May.
London Underground strikes due to start on Monday have been called off, it has been announced.
Aslef, which represents train and tube drivers in the UK, had planned two rolling 24 hour strikes on Monday 8 April and Saturday 4 May.
But after intense backroom discussions with Transport for London officials this week, both days of action will no longer go ahead. The union had been concerned that its drivers could be forced to work longer hours and that prior arrangements with TfL and Sadiq Khan could be scrapped.
A statement from Aslef said: “After a series of meetings at ACAS, our negotiating team has received a proposal that resolves the key issues in our dispute.
Aslef said there would no longer be plans to change “drivers working arrangements without agreement.” They have also agreed to reinstate annual refresher training stopped during the pandemic.”
The union added: “To deal with our concerns over safety and security an additional team of Transport Support and Enforcement officers will be recruited focused on dealing with anti social behaviour on trains during Night Tube hours. Work will continue on the installation of new cab security locks to make our members workplace safer.
“We are pleased that we have successfully resolved these long standing issues without the need for strikes.”
Tube strikes have been called off at the eleventh hour before this year. London Mayor Sadiq Khan previously stopped seperate January strikes by the RMT after drumming up £30m of public cash.
Tube staff represented by the RMT secured a pay rise of eight to ten per cent for their lowest paid workers in February. Higher paid staff netted a five per cent increase in the same deal.
The underground strikes were announced alongside walk-outs at 16 major rail operators across April and May, and bans on overtime working, which began today.
More to follow
