
Londoners are still grappling with major travel disruption as Tube strikes bring parts of the capital’s transport network to a standstill.
A union leader has said industrial relations have “totally collapsed” meaning travellers in London will continue to face disruption as thousands of members of the union take strike action over pay and working hours.
Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leader Eddie Dempsey said issues have not been sorted as yet, adding that “negotiations became fruitless” after the union says it uncovered Transport for London (TfL) plans to shut Elizabeth line ticket offices – something TfL denies.
In a separate dispute over pay and conditions, workers on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) are also striking.
The RMT says the dual action has brought “significant disruption to the capital’s transport network”.
Additionally, First Bus is about to strike later this week from Friday, September 12 at 5am to Monday, September 15 at 5am. Some areas of west, northwest, and southwest London will have minimal to no service, according to TfL.
Here’s all we know on the details and when things could return to normal:
When will the tube strike end?
The strike started on Friday, September 5, 2025, and is scheduled to last until Thursday, September 11, 2025.
But there could be more action in the future if they cannot make an agreement going forward.
The union said there are a host of reasons for the strike action being decided, ranging from pay issues, “extreme shift patterns” and going back on their word in previous discussions over these issues.
In a general statement, the RMT said: “The strikes come after management refused to engage seriously with union demands on pay, fatigue management, extreme shift patterns and a reduction in the working week, as well as failing to honour previous agreements made with staff.”
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey added: “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.”
When did they last strike?
Lower-paid Tube workers agreed a deal for pay increases of between 5 per cent and 6.6 per cent, as well as other improvements including extended paternity leave, three years’ protection of earnings for medically displaced staff and expanded travel benefits.
Train drivers from Aslef union also held strikes over working conditions in May and April 2024 in two 24-hour walkouts.
Which lines will be affected?
Between September 8-11, TfL says there will be no service before 8am, and then little to no service through the day, with journeys again advised to be completed by 6pm.
DLR services will not run at all between September 9-11. There will be a full DLR service on other days, but stations shared with Tube services may be impacted.
There are no strikes on the Elizabeth line, but there will be some disruption between Whitechapel and Bond Street, and again there may be disruption at stations shared with Tube services.
London Overground, trams and buses will be running but services are likely to be very busy and TfL warns: “Some services may be unable to stop at all stations or run to their normal destination at times.”
Have any events been impacted?
The last two dates of Coldplay’s 10-show series at Wembley Stadium were rescheduled due to the strike.
In a social media post, the band announced that their Music Of The Spheres performances slated for September 7 and 8 had been moved to September 6 and 12, respectively.
The band stated: “Without a Tube service, it’s impossible to get 82,000 people to the concert and home again safely, and therefore no event licence can be granted.”
Due to the strikes, American singer-songwriter Post Malone has also rescheduled his two performances at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 7 and 8.
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