Next month, London Underground drivers are to join action in a row over pay. The Aslef union said it has voted for a series of strikes in November, during which drivers, instructors, management-grade staff, and engineers will join forces in this pay dispute.

Union Rail, Maritime and Transport will join hands with Aslef to back this strike action. That way, this city may suffer many disturbances since the strikes will occur at different times in November.

The Strike Plan
The Aslef union has issued a timetable of its industrial action. On the 7th and 12th of November, train operators and managers will walk out. The engineering staff will employ a 24-hour stoppage commencing at 6:00 PM on the 1st of November. Both are attempting to put pressure on Transport for London, the operation managing the London Underground.

After the shift, TfL said it is disappointed by the strike but announced that it still tries to negotiate with the unions. So far, no solution has been agreed to for the strikes, though talks haven’t brought any fruits.
Why Do They Strike?
According to Finn Brennan, full-time organizer of Aslef union for the London Underground, the drivers did not want to go on strike in the first place. “We do not wish to make traveling in and around the capital more difficult for passengers, and we certainly do not want to lose a day’s pay,” Brennan said. But the union feels pushed into doing this because London Underground’s management refuses to sit down and genuinely negotiate over a fair pay deal.

Now, according to reports, Aslef members are not satisfied with the pay offer presented. Management has come up with a 3.8 percent pay increase and a one-time lump sum settlement. However, Brennan adds that this would mean Tube drivers getting lesser pay than other train services under TfL, including those who operate on Elizabeth line and Overground trains.

Adding insult to injury, several staff groups will also stop putting in the extra hours that have kept the service running throughout November. This means that the already restricted service will be potentially even more disrupted on days when the official strike isn’t taking place.

RMT Joins the Fray
It’s not just the drivers, though-thousands of other members of the train operating company are represented by the RMT union, in signalling and at stations, which is also preparing to strike in protest at the union’s description of a “wholly inadequate” pay offer.

The union said that it had detected signs of movement in negotiations, but there was nowhere near enough to transform the pay offer, and no pay offer should ever be put to a vote. They say the current offer actually bars many from collective bargaining, wherein a group seeks better pay and better conditions. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that the proposal from the London Underground does not meet the needs of its workers. He said the deal even threatens to take away collective bargaining for a big slice of the staff, placing them in pay bands determined by management alone.
“No trade union can accept a deal where management picks and chooses who gets a pay rise and who does not,” said Lynch. It would be a major body blow to the principles of the union and they are determined to stand their ground.

Strike Dates and What to Expect
The RMT has said that approximately 10,000 members will be taking part in the industrial action. Their strike starts November 1 with maintenance workers but rallies through the first week of November when other groups such as signaling staff and station workers down tools between 6th and 8th November.

This can mean commotion for people trying to use the Tube throughout these days. While TfL may still provide a few services, they would be largely disrupted.

TfL’s Response
TfL said it is trying to be optimistic and keep the talks on track. In a statement, a spokesperson says they had several meetings with the unions and issued a new pay offer which averages at 4.6% pay increase. They describe it as rewarding working staff and the lowest paid will earn the most.

They reiterated that they have been holding such talks in good faith, and they still look forward to more such meetings. “Our offer is fair for our staff and affordable for London,” a spokesperson pleads with unions to continue the dialogue process.

For many London commuters, a big question would be whether or not this dispute would be resolved before strikes start. Unfortunately, that’s hard to predict because even in transport disputes, as seen here, it usually follows a similar pattern: each side digs into its heels and the negotiations continue for weeks or months until a resolution is found.

Largely, there will be minimal to no service on the London Underground during the Aslef strike days if the strike occurs. On RMT strike days, some trains will operate but the system will be patchy and a far cry from reliable.

Others may have to seek other options for their daily commutes: bus, bicycle, or even walking. After all, with that number of people who rely on the Tube daily, impact will be something deeply felt across the capital.