London Mayor Sadiq Khan has approved a substantial pay increase for Tube drivers worth up to £3,400, but the deal has failed to prevent further strike action that threatens to plunge the capital into transport chaos.
The proposed package, which would see drivers' salaries rise from £63,000 to over £66,000, was immediately rejected by the RMT union, which declared the offer "unacceptable" and confirmed plans for renewed walkouts.
Union Resistance Despite Generous Offer
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch condemned the proposal, stating: "This offer is completely unacceptable and does not meet our expectations. Our members will continue with planned industrial action until a satisfactory agreement is reached."
The union's resistance comes despite the generous nature of the offer, which would place tube drivers among the highest-paid public transport workers in the country.
Commuters Face Continued Disruption
Londoners now face the prospect of further travel misery as the union prepares to escalate industrial action. The previous strike action brought much of the Underground network to a standstill, causing significant disruption to millions of daily commuters.
Transport for London (TfL) officials had hoped the substantial pay increase would resolve the long-running dispute, but union demands for better working conditions and additional benefits remain unresolved.
Political Fallout for Khan
The ongoing dispute presents a significant political challenge for Mayor Khan, who faces criticism from both sides. Commuters blame him for the disruption, while union leaders accuse him of not doing enough to address workers' concerns.
Conservative opponents have seized on the situation, accusing the Mayor of mismanaging TfL finances and failing to prevent repeated transport disruptions.
As London braces for further strike action, the standoff between City Hall and transport unions shows no signs of resolution, leaving the capital's commuters facing ongoing uncertainty and disruption.
