London's pubs and restaurants anticipate a significant impact on business this week due to strikes by Tube drivers. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union began a 24-hour walkout from midday today, with another planned for Thursday, set to disrupt services for the entire week.
Transport for London (TfL) urged passengers to check before travelling, warning the industrial action will hit all services. RMT members are actively mounting picket lines outside Tube stations since the strike commenced, with union official Jared Wood saying 'union members felt strongly about the issues at the heart of the dispute.'
He said the row was not just about a four-day week, saying other issues were involved such as the length of shifts and changes to annual leave.
He said: “TfL need to come forward with changes to their proposals for this dispute to be resolved.
“There is absolute unanimity among our members that we have to fight these proposals.”
Mr Wood said there was now “a lot of bad feeling” between the drivers and London Underground.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “In a typical week, London’s pubs generate approximately £80 million in GVA (gross added value) between Tuesday and Friday alone.
“This doesn’t just boost the economy but represents the jobs, high streets, and community spirit that revolve around pubs.
“At a time when so many locals are already operating on a knife edge because of huge costs, significant disruption to trade will be acutely felt.
“It’s vital that that overall cost of doing business comes down, which is why we’re working with Government on ways to support the pub, including permanent business rates reform, a cut in beer duty and VAT, and a reduction of the regulatory burden.”
Some bus routes in the capital operated by Stagecoach will be affected by a separate 24-hour strike from 5am on Friday.
Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “We have set out proposals to the RMT for a four-day working week.
“This allows us to offer train operators an additional day off, whilst at the same time bringing London Underground in line with the working patterns of other train operating companies, improving reliability and flexibility at no additional cost.
“The changes would be voluntary, there would be no reduction in contractual hours and those who wish to continue a five-day working week pattern would be able to do so.”
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