Union Chief Pressures London Mayor to Step Into Tube Dispute as TfL Keeps Northern Line Moving

The RMT has intensified its demands for mayoral involvement in the ongoing Tube strikes, even as Transport for London (TfL) managed to restore parts of its network.

RMT Turns Up the Heat

Union general secretary Eddie Dempsey used the TUC conference in Brighton to publicly challenge Sadiq Khan to sit down with rail workers.

“He is the chair of Transport for London. If he invited us to a meeting, we will attend,” Dempsey said. “Instead of issuing tweets, he should be inviting us to the table. I don’t give a monkey’s if it’s a pool table, a billiards table or a dinner table.”

The RMT is striking over its demand for a 32-hour, four-day week for Tube staff. The dispute, which began on Sunday, is expected to cause disruption until Friday morning.

TfL Keeps Services Moving

Despite widespread shutdowns, TfL achieved a breakthrough by running the full Northern line between High Barnet and Edgware in the north to Morden in the south from 8am on Tuesday. Trains on parts of the Piccadilly line also operated, including between Arnos Grove and Cockfosters, and Hammersmith and Rayners Lane.

The Elizabeth line remained unaffected, with more than one million journeys recorded on Monday—its busiest day to date. TfL has made keeping the east-west corridor open its top priority.

Sections of other Tube lines may reopen depending on staff availability, with further attempts planned for Wednesday and Thursday.

Passengers React

Travellers across London reported mixed experiences. Some, like Rebecca, 27, from Tooting, expressed relief at being able to use the Northern line during the day:

“I am actually quite pleased that in the middle of the working day I can jump on the Tube.”

Others voiced anger. John Wooley, 57, who travelled from Cheltenham, argued that disruption outweighed staff demands:

“I hear the point of view that they get fairly well paid. I’m more focused on the impact on everyone coming in and the difficulty for businesses.”

One commuter who cycled from Kensington to Bank called the strikes “insane and utterly deluded in the modern climate.” A Romford resident described “chaos” on the Elizabeth line, with overcrowding and arguments breaking out.

Union Leaders Frustrated by Lack of Talks

RMT negotiator Jared Wood said there had been “no contact” from TfL since talks broke down the previous week.

“They cut talks off last Wednesday, and told us that was their final position. But plainly TfL, the mayor, London Underground, they need to get their heads together and talk to us and get it sorted out.”

Khan has so far resisted direct involvement, insisting there are no “exceptional circumstances” requiring his intervention.

DLR Also Hit by Strikes

The industrial action spread beyond the Underground, with Docklands Light Railway (DLR) services brought to a halt on Tuesday due to RMT staff walkouts. A second day of strikes is expected on Thursday.

Richard Graham, managing director of KeolisAmey Docklands, which operates the DLR under contract to TfL, voiced frustration at the union’s stance:

“We remain committed to constructive dialogue and urge the union to put our latest pay offer to its members for a vote. It is a good and fair offer.”

Tom Page, TfL’s general manager for the DLR, added that the organisation was “disappointed” by the walkout and urged both sides to return to negotiations to protect passenger journeys.

Looking Ahead

Unless progress is made in talks, the capital faces further days of disruption. TfL will continue its efforts to open parts of the network, but with drivers scheduled to strike again on Wednesday and Thursday, the standoff between the RMT and City Hall looks set to continue.