Londoners will breathe a sigh of relief as train drivers called off the Underground Tube strike after tense negotiations between the train driver’s union Aslef and Transport for London (TfL).
The union, representing train and tube drivers across the UK, initially planned two 24-hour strikes set for Monday 8th April and Saturday 4th May. However, Aslef has announced the cancellation of these strikes, citing fruitful discussions and the resolution of key issues.
A spokesperson for Aslef revealed, “Management has confirmed that they have disbanded their ‘Trains Modernisation’ team and will not be implementing their plans to change drivers’ working arrangements without agreement.” This reflects the union’s victory in ensuring that drivers’ rights and working conditions remain protected, a paramount concern for its members.
Furthermore, Aslef emphasized that important safety measures would be upheld and even improved upon. Plans to reinstate annual refresher training, which had been halted during the pandemic, are now in motion.
Also, to address concerns over safety and security, TfL has agreed to recruit an additional team of Transport Support and Enforcement officers focused on combating anti-social behavior during Night Tube hours. The installation of new cab security locks, aimed at enhancing the safety of members’ workplaces, is also underway.
In response to the news, London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his satisfaction, hailing it as “good news for Londoners.” He took to social media, stating, “This demonstrates – once again – what can be achieved by talking and engaging with transport staff and trade unions rather than working against them.”
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