London's transport network is poised for significant disruption as workers on the Underground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) have announced a fresh wave of strike action. The planned 48-hour walkout is set to bring large parts of the capital's travel system to a standstill.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) confirmed that its members will stage a complete strike from 00:01 on Monday, 8th April until 23:59 on Tuesday, 9th April. The industrial action comes amid an ongoing dispute over pay and working conditions.
Services Set for Major Shutdown
The strike action is expected to cause severe disruption across the entire London Underground network. Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers to expect little to no service across all Tube lines during the strike period.
Similarly, the Docklands Light Railway, a critical transport link for commuters in East and South East London, will also be severely affected, with a full shutdown highly likely.
Root of the Dispute
RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, stated that the strike action is a result of the union's members being "left with no choice" after management failed to present a satisfactory pay offer. The union is demanding a pay rise that reflects the current cost-of-living crisis and addresses concerns over working conditions.
This will be the second major strike by RMT members on the Tube network this year, indicating a significant hardening of the stance from both the union and management. The previous action in January caused widespread travel chaos for millions of Londoners.
Commuters Urged to Plan Ahead
TfL is anticipated to issue official guidance in the coming days, almost certainly urging passengers to avoid travel on the Tube and DLR on the strike days. Alternative options, such as buses, cycling, walking, or working from home, will be heavily promoted.
However, with buses and roads expected to be extremely congested, the advice for many will be to avoid travelling into Central London altogether if possible.
The impending strike highlights the continued tension between transport unions and management in the capital, with a swift resolution seeming increasingly unlikely as the April dates approach.
