Will tube strikes stop the Elizabeth line running in July?

A new wave of industrial action from the RMT union will take place in London, with an expected 20,000 workers walking out across 14 rail companies
London’s Elizabeth line: what can service users expect in July?
Transport for London/PA Media
Charlie Duffield11 July 2023

June offered some relief for London commuters from strike action but more industrial action is planned for July, with Tube and train strikes taking place in the capital and nationwide.

A new wave of strikes called by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) is planned in London, with an expected 20,000 workers walking out across 14 rail companies.

But what about the Elizabeth line? Here’s everything you need to know.

When are the next London train strikes?

Train strikes in London will take place on July 20, 22 and 29 after negotiations between rail companies and the Government came to a halt.

Will the Elizabeth line be on strike?

London’s Elizabeth line stretches more than 65 miles from Reading and Heathrow in the west, through central tunnels across to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

On July 6 the RMT union announced that a strike will affect various parts of the Tube between Sunday July 23 and Friday July 28.

Currently the Elizabeth line is not set to be affected by the next strike action.

Why are there more train strikes?

The RMT has announced more action over pay, jobs, pensions and conditions.

It means the public can expect disruption to rail and Tube networks.

At the same time, the Aslef union, which represents drivers, announced overtime bans and strikes in a dispute on pay.

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “We do not want to go on strike – we do not want to inconvenience passengers, we have families and friends who use the railway, too, and we believe in investing in rail for the future of this country – but the blame for this action lies, fairly and squarely, at the feet of the employers who have forced our hand over this by their intransigence.

“It is now up to them to come up with a more sensible and realistic, offer and we ask the Government not to hinder this process.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This latest phase of action will show the country just how important railway staff are to the running of the rail industry. My team of negotiators and I are available 24/7 for talks with the train operating companies and government ministers.

“Yet quite incredibly neither party has made any attempt whatsoever to arrange any meetings or put forward a decent offer that can help us reach a negotiated solution. The government continues to shackle the companies and will not allow them to put forward a package that can settle this dispute.

“Our members have now voted three times to take strike action over the last 12 months – the most of recent of which coincided with having the full details of the substandard offer from the rail operators.

“They voted by 9-1 to renew their strike mandate and RMT will continue its industrial campaign until we reach a negotiated settlement on pay, working conditions and job security.”

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