Tube strikes by RMT staff called off after talks
Planned strikes by RMT staff on the London Underground have been called off following talks over pay between the union and Transport for London.
Industrial action by the RMT was due to begin on Friday evening.
Workers were also set to take action on several days in the coming weeks but a union spokesperson said it had received “a significantly improved offer”.
Strikes by members of the drivers’ union Aslef next week and later in the month are still scheduled to go ahead.
The RMT spokesperson added: “London Underground have sensibly abandoned their proposed changes to pay structures which now means all our members will receive the same value in any pay award.
“Further discussions will take place next week regarding the pay offer but progress has been made which would not have been possible without the fortitude and industrial strength of our 10,000 members on London Underground.”
Aslef strike ‘very much still on at the moment’
BBC London’s transport correspondent, Tom Edwards, said: “The RMT union says it has received a significantly improved offer and, although TfL says there’s no new money, something seems to have changed to get the strike suspended.
“The previous pay offer was 3.8% + £450. More talks will now take place.
“Aslef says it’s reasonably happy with the pay offer but it wants to discuss moving to a four-day week in line with other operators.
“At the moment the strike which will shut the Tube on 7 and 12 November is very much on.”
Claire Mann, Transport for London’s chief operating officer, said: “We are pleased that the RMT has suspended its planned industrial action on the London Underground network to allow further talks. We believe that our offer is fair, affordable, good for our colleagues and good news for London.
“We will continue to work closely with all our trade unions, and urge Aslef to also call off its planned action next week. If it goes ahead, customers should check before they travel as during their strikes there will be little-to-no service.”
