LONDON Underground strikes have been SUSPENDED as commuters narrowly avoided travel chaos minutes before it was set to begin.
Planned action from Monday to Thursday will no longer go ahead after the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) made progress in discussions with Transport for London (TfL) today.
GettyStrikes by London Underground workers which would have crippled tube services this week have been suspended[/caption]
Members of the RMT were due to walk out from 6pm in protest at a 5 per cent pay offer.
But the RMT announced it was suspending the planned strikes after progress in talks with TfL.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Following further positive discussions today, the negotiations on a pay deal for our London Underground members can now take place on an improved basis and mandate with significant further funding for a settlement being made available.
“This significantly improved funding position means the scheduled strike action will be suspended with immediate effect and we look forward to getting in to urgent negotiations with TfL in order to develop a suitable agreement and resolution to the dispute.”
A TfL spokesperson said: “Last week we discussed our pay offer extensively with the three Trade Unions that had rejected it, making clear that TfL cannot afford any more. This remains the case.
“Today, we were made aware that the Mayor was able to provide additional funds to enable discussions with the unions to continue.
“We have all consistently made clear that strike action is bad for everyone and would have a negative impact on the city as it recovers from the pandemic.
“This intervention from the Mayor has been discussed with the unions, and the RMT union has now suspended the planned strike action.
“However, as the action has been suspended at this late stage, Londoners will still face disruption tomorrow and we advise all customers to check the TfL website or the TfL Go app for the latest travel information.
“We will now meet with representatives of all the unions to agree on the best way for this funding to be used to resolve the current dispute.
“We will also seek to meet as soon as possible with the unions representing TfL staff.
“We always strive to work constructively with the unions and avoid disruption to London.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “delighted” the strikes had been called off.
He said: “This week’s tube strikes have now been suspended.
“Londoners and visitors to our city will no longer face several days of disruption.
“This shows what can be achieved by engaging and working with trade unions and transport staff, rather than working against them.”
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