Train drivers for the Victoria Line were due to walk out on a 24-hour strike on 27 November this week over claims of a “fundamental breakdown” in industrial relations.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union were to strike at 22:00 on Wednesday, over claims that London Underground have not kept their promises on agreements reached during talks about pay and the treatment of staff.
Nick Dent, London Underground’s Director of Line Operations, said:
“We are pleased that the RMT has suspended this industrial action. We will continue to work through the steps we agreed earlier this year to resolve the issues they have raised.”
The strike, which was originally scheduled to take place in July 2019, was also suspended as a result of progress made during discussions held under the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).
However, the RMT confirmed that London Underground had discontinued dealing with pledges designed to resolve the long-running dispute. The strike which arose “over matters related to the attendance at work procedure, an unlawful deduction of wages, and undue pressure and bullying of Drivers from Service Control Management”, according to an official statement from the RMT.
The RMT general secretary Mick Cash previously said: “It is extraordinary that LU seriously believed that they could get away with mugging off drivers on the Victoria Line by making promises inside ACAS and then pulling them away the moment that they step out into the daylight.”
The strike would have affected one of the busiest lines. The Victoria line is used by over 200 million passengers each year and 600,000 each day
It passes through 16 stations including some of the city’s busiest stops: Victoria, Euston, Kings Cross, and St Pancras.
A staff member at Highbury and Islington station told Raven News:
“I think the strikes only happen to mess up the service. It’s also usually announced very last minute so commuters don’t have time to prepare.”
Amber McCarthy, primary school teacher, who’s journey was going to be affected told Raven News:
“The school I work at have a school trip scheduled between those hours and our transportation of choice is the Victoria Line.”