Thousands of Tube workers will be on strike on Monday and that London Underground are warning commuters not to travel.
The dispute is over pensions and fears that 600 jobs will be lost as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out for 24 hours.
Transport for London (TfL) are expecting severe disruption across the Tube network on Monday but some services will run.
Stations in central and south London will be closed on Monday and those that can be opened will only operate for a limited amount of time and DLR, London Overground and Trams will not be affected.
The government has told TfL to look to achieving their own financial sustainability by April 2023 and as a result this will leave around 500 to 600 jobs vacant as there will be no more recruiting.
The RMT General secretary Mick Lynch warned that under TfL’s current proposals, 600 jobs will be lost and working agreements will be ripped up along the looming threat to pensions remains in place.
Lynch added, “We are demanding a direct face-to-face meeting with Mayor Sadiq Khan to sort this mess out.
“There’s no point in our union continuing to sit opposite management representatives who have neither the inclination nor the authority to negotiate a settlement, when the power lies with the Mayor.”
Andy Lord, TfL’s chief operating officer, said, “I’d like to apologise to London for the impact this strike will have on journeys tomorrow and on Tuesday morning.
“We know it’s going to be damaging to London and the economy at a time when public transport is playing a crucial role in the capital’s recovery.
“While our focus is always on helping everyone travel around London whenever they want, the expected impact of the RMT’s action means we have to advise people to only travel tomorrow if necessary, as many stations may be closed.
“Alternatives to the Tube, including the bus and rail networks, are likely to be much busier than usual and we expect the severe disruption caused by this strike to continue into the morning of Tuesday 7 June.
“No changes have been proposed to pensions and nobody has or will lose their job as a result of the proposals we have set out. My message to the RMT is this – it’s not too late to call off tomorrow’s strike action.
“Working with us to find a resolution is the best course of action, avoiding the disruption this strike will cause to Londoners and the economy.”
Richard Burge, chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “We are extremely disappointed that the RMT has called for a mass walkout by TfL workers in such close proximity to the Queen’s Jubilee Weekend when London will be full of visitors.
“The last two years hit London disproportionately hard and the capital is desperately trying to claw back some sense of normality after a tumultuous two years.
“This strike now puts TfL in a position of having to recommend that Londoners work from home.
“Ultimately, this will only harm London’s economy and it is time for TfL to sort out their dispute with the RMT so we can get back to building prosperity and showing the world that London is open business.”
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