And just like that, London’s recent, blissfully strike-free period on the tube is coming to an end. Today (August 21) the RMT union has announced a week-long period of industrial action on the capital’s transport network, starting in the first week of September.
RMT staff will strike over a range of reasons, including pay demands, shift patterns and apparent failures to honour previous agreements. What’s more is that it won’t just be the tube that’ll be hit by strikes: DLR workers will also walk out as part of a separate dispute.
Worried about getting around London during the strikes? Here’s everything you need to know about the industrial action planned on tube and DLR services over the coming weeks.
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When are the next tube strikes?
Strike action will begin on September 5, with different workers striking on different days. Here’s the lowdown on who is going on strike and when.
- Sunday September 7 – track access controllers, London Underground control centre, power/control and ERU members will strike from 12.01am to 11.59pm.
- Monday September 8 – all fleet (except engineering vehicles operations and maintenance and ERU), plus engineering, stations and trains members will walk out. Strike from 12.01am to 11.59pm.
- Tuesday September 9 – signallers, service control and ERU members will strike between 12.01am and 11.59pm on Tuesday 9th September 2025.
- Wednesday September 10 – all fleet (except engineering vehicles operations and maintenance and ERU), plus engineering, stations and trains members will walk out from 12.01am to 11.59pm.
- Thursday September 11 – signallers and service Control members will strike between 12.01am and 11.59pm.
There is, of course, still a chance that the RMT and TfL will come to an agreement before the strikes take place. We’ll update this page if and when there are developments.
When are the next London train strikes?
The DLR – which is a train service, not a tube – will be hit by strikes in the week beginning September 7. Exact dates and the extent of the impact have not yet been confirmed, though the RMT says walk-outs will cause ‘significant disruption to the capital’s transport network’.
How long will the London train strikes last?
The tube and DLR strikes will last a total of one week.
When will the Elizabeth line be on strike?
No Elizabeth line strikes are currently planned, and the Lizzy line is not usually included in tube strike action. The purple service may be much busier than usual during tube strikes.
Why are train and tube workers striking?
The RMT says that the tube strikes are the result of London Underground management refusing to engage seriously with demands on pay, fatigue management, extreme shift patterns and a reduction in the working week. It also says that management has failed to honour previous agreements made with staff.
DLR staff are striking over pay and working conditions.
Will strikes affect the Eurostar?
Eurostar is not expected to be affected by any strike dates.
Is the London Overground on strike?
No action is planned on Overground lines, though the newly-colourful network could be affected by the disruption of tube and DLR strikes.
How to get to London airports during strikes
Tubes and trains are rarely on strike at the same time, so travellers can usually get the other, non-striking one to the airport. If you plan on using the Piccadilly line to get to Heathrow, you can always use the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express.
Coaches frequently run from central and outer London areas by the likes of National Express. All airports are also, obvs, all accessible by road – whether you’d like to drive or get a taxi. Expect higher levels of traffic during strike days.
What have union and rail bosses said about the strikes?
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey commented on the latest round of tube strikes: ‘Our members are doing a fantastic job to keep our capital moving and work strenuous shift patterns to make sure Londoners get to their destinations around the clock.
“They are not after a King’s ransom, but fatigue and extreme shift rotations are serious issues impacting on our members health and wellbeing- all of which have not been adequately addressed for years by LU management.
‘Coupled with the fact there are outstanding issues around staff travel arrangements, an atmosphere of distrust has been created, where our members feel like no one is listening to them.
‘RMT will continue to engage LU management with a view to seeking a revised offer in order to reach a negotiated settlement.’
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