Tube strike Londoners without Underground service during walkout

The London Underground experienced significant disruption on Monday as Tube workers initiated a strike over pay and working conditions. The RMT union, representing the workers, is demanding a reduction in the standard working week to 32 hours, arguing that this change is fair given Transport for London’s (TfL) reported £166 million surplus last year. Commuters have turned to alternative transport options such as bikes, buses, and black cabs, while the Elizabeth line and Overground services have remained operational, albeit at increased capacity. Commuter Chris Barnes expressed frustration over the strike's impact on his six-hour round-trip journey. NHS worker Rachel Edwards criticized the union's demands as unrealistic, emphasizing the need for collective effort during challenging times.

London Underground's management has labeled the union's requests as unaffordable, warning that the ongoing strike could lead to further detrimental effects on the service. The strike is scheduled to continue until 08:00 BST on Friday, with officials urging the RMT and TfL to resume negotiations to resolve the conflict. The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has also called for a settlement to minimize the disruption for passengers.