Members of the RMT union at London Underground have called off plans to strike over the coming week, as transport officials urged tube train drivers to follow suit.
The RMT said it had suspended its planned week-long action, which had been due to begin on Friday evening, after receiving a significantly improved pay offer from tube bosses.
Aslef, the train drivers’ union, has yet to call off plans for a highly disruptive strike by tube drivers on Thursday next week followed by another on 12 November, but the Guardian understands it will meet London Underground on Monday for talks. Transport for London urged the union to take a cue from its fellow union and call off the action.
An RMT spokesperson said: “London Underground have sensibly abandoned their proposed changes to pay structures, which now means all our members will receive the same value in any pay award.
“Further discussions will take place next week regarding the pay offer but progress has been made which would not have been possible without the fortitude and industrial strength of our 10,000 members on London Underground.”
RMT members, who include signalling and station staff, had been set to begin a 24-hour strike for maintenance staff this evening. It includes some Aslef engineering drivers, who will still take action.
RMT also planned a series of rolling strikes over the next week covering different areas of the tube, which was expected to significantly hit services.
Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “We are pleased that the RMT has suspended its planned industrial action on the London Underground network to allow further talks. We believe that our offer is fair, affordable, good for our colleagues and good news for London.
after newsletter promotion
“We will continue to work closely with all our trade unions, and urge Aslef to also call off its planned action next week. If it goes ahead customers should check before they travel as during their strikes on 7 November and 12, there will be little to no service.”