Is there a Tube strike today? Has the 2021 London Underground strike been cancelled – and are there more in August

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) were due to stage a 24-hour walkout from noon on Tuesday (3 August) and later this week in a dispute over the grade of Night Tube driver.

Transport for London (TfL) had warned of disruption to services if the strikes go ahead as more people return to work following the easing of Covid restrictions, and last-ditch talks were held in a bid to avert the series of strikes by London Underground drivers.

But did they work, and is there a Tube strike today?

Here is everything you need to know.

Is there a Tube strike today?

Less than a week before the first strike was due to take place, union leaders were left scrambling for fresh talks under the chairmanship of the conciliation service Acas to try to avert strikes by London Underground drivers.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said at the time: “RMT is angry and frustrated at the Tube bosses’ refusal to engage in constructive discussions through the offices of Acas that could resolve this dispute.

But those talks did take place, and after progress was made, the strikes planned for this week by London Underground drivers have been called off, so there is no Tube strike today (2 August).

Lynch said: “Following extensive and wide-ranging discussions through the Acas machinery we have hammered out enough ground to allow those talks to continue.

“I want to thank our members and our reps whose unity and determination has allowed us to reach this stage today and we look forward to pursuing the important issues at the heart of this dispute in the next phase of talks.”

Why were the strikes planned?

Plans for industrial action were drawn up in protest at plans to scrap the pay grade of Night Tube drivers.

Last week (28 July), Lynch said: “London Underground’s proposals to rip up an agreement that protects 3,000 Tube drivers’ work life balance has caused uproar in the depots amongst drivers.

Richard Jones, head of network operations for London Underground, said: “We welcome the decision by the RMT to suspend their action to allow further discussions to take place.

“We are confident that the changes we have made to rosters are positive for London Underground train drivers and the services we offer as London recovers from the pandemic. We look forward to discussions continuing.”

Will there be other Tube strikes?

Further strikes later this month remain on until a final settlement is reached.

"This week’s strike action is suspended although the rest of the planned action rema‎ins on,” said Lynch.

The further dates for strikes are 24 and 26 August, with 24-hour walkouts beginning at noon on those days.

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