UKHospitality: Tube strikes ‘incredibly disappointing news’

Members of both Aslef, the train drivers' union, and the RMT, representing most other Tube workers, will walk out on different dates between 1 November and 12 November.

Aslef has ordered 24-hour walkouts on Thursday, November 7 and Tuesday, November 12, both of which are expected to shut the entire Tube network down.

The RMT, meanwhile, has called on different groups of staff including controllers, emergency responders and signallers to take action on different days between November 1 and November 8.

As reported by The Standard​​​, it is not clear what impact the different RMT walkouts will have, but passengers face the likelihood of stations being shut at short notice.

In addition, Aslef members will refuse to work any overtime between 3 November and 16 November.

Both strikes are a result of an ongoing row between the unions and Transport for London related to pay and working conditions of London Underground staff.

“This is incredibly disappointing news and these strikes will have a significant impact on London’s hospitality and tourism businesses,” says Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality.

The trade body estimates that the hospitality sector has suffered £3.5bn in lost sales as a result of nationwide disruption caused by tube and train strikes over the past two years.

“[This] disruption will hit two key trading days and impact consumers, workers and the economy, as well as cause concern among businesses about potential disruption to the all-important Christmas trading period,” Nicholls adds.

“We urge all sides to urgently reach a resolution.”