Industrial relations on London Underground have "totally collapsed", the leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said, after talks with Transport for London (TfL) broke down and strike action left almost the entire network at a standstill.
With the exception of the Northern line, running a reduced timetable, nearly all Tube services were suspended on Tuesday as thousands of RMT members walked out over pay and working hours. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) was also closed after RMT members there staged separate action.
RMT leader Eddie Dempsey said negotiations had become fruitless after the union said it uncovered plans by TfL to close ticket offices on the Elizabeth line, a claim TfL denies. Mr Dempsey warned that further disputes could arise over the alleged proposals and over pay and conditions for cleaners.
TfL said it had made a pay offer of 3.4% and described the union's demand for a shorter working week of 32 hours as "unaffordable". Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said she was "bitterly disappointed" the strike had gone ahead, saying the demand for a 32-hour week was "unaffordable and impractical".
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan urged the RMT and TfL to return to talks to resolve the dispute. Downing Street also urged both sides to get back to the negotiating table to end the disruption.
Transport operators and commuters reported strong knock-on effects across the city. At the start of the working week, TfL said footfall on London Overground and the Elizabeth line had risen by about 31%, suggesting those services were absorbing many displaced Tube passengers. Long queues formed at central London bus stops, and highway traffic and cycling schemes saw higher usage as people sought alternatives.
Private bike rental schemes including Lime, Forest and Santander reported increased uptake on Monday, according to TfL. Reports from news gatherers indicated Elizabeth line, Overground and some rail routes were less busy than on Monday but still carrying a noticeable number of displaced passengers.
Both sides framed the dispute around affordability and operational practicality. TfL argued its pay offer was fair in the context of limited finances, while the RMT said the measures it seeks are necessary to protect jobs and working conditions. TfL maintains there are no current plans to close Elizabeth line ticket offices.
The stoppage marks a continuation of wider tensions across Britain's transport sector, where disputes over pay, staffing and changes to working practices have prompted a series of strikes in recent months. The immediate impact in London has been concentrated on commuter flows, with employers and services advising staff and passengers to plan for disruption and to consider remote working where possible.
Officials from both TfL and the RMT said they remained available to resume talks. In the meantime, millions of journeys that would normally run on the Underground system are being accommodated by buses, national rail alternatives, river services, walking and cycling, placing pressure on the capital's wider transport network.
