London Underground workers are starting a series of strikes today, which are expected to lead to gridlock and serious difficulties for commuters in the British capital, Reuters reported, quoted by dariknews.bg.
Passengers are advised to finish their journeys by 6:00 p.m. today, as almost no Underground trains will run from Monday to Thursday due to a series of phased strike actions.
In addition, the Docklands Light Railway line, which connects the financial centers of Canary Wharf and the City of London, will not operate on Tuesday and Thursday.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said the dispute is related to pay, employee fatigue, shifts and the demand to reduce the working week.
“Our members are not asking for a fortune, but fatigue and extreme shifts are serious issues that affect their health and well-being,“ said RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey.
Transport for London (TfL), which runs the capital's public transport system, said the union would only accept a deal if it included a reduction in the working week. Currently, staff typically work 35 hours. She added that hard work had been done to resolve the dispute and that staff had been offered a 3.4% pay rise.
Although TfL warned of severe disruption, some rail services in the capital would continue to operate during the strike.
The Elizabeth Line, which serves Heathrow Airport, and the Overground will operate as normal, but there will be disruption at some stations and trains are likely to be extremely busy.
As well as causing inconvenience to commuters and tourists, the strikes have forced British rock band Coldplay to reschedule two concerts at Wembley Stadium. this week, and American artist Post Malone has also postponed two London shows until later this month.
The Attica Taxi Drivers Union (SATA) has announced a 48-hour strike from 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 11.
During the strike, only transport to and from hospitals will be provided. Taxis on duty will have special markings on the front of the vehicles.
“The fight we are fighting is a fight for the survival of professional taxi drivers. We ask for the understanding and support of passengers, as we demand conditions that guarantee the smooth and fair functioning of our service. Thank you for your understanding,“ SATA announced on social media.