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The London Underground workers' strike began today (Monday), disrupting the journeys of millions of passengers and threatening daily life in the British capital for the rest of the week, in protest against wages and working conditions.

Strike Details

Transport for London warned that Underground services would be "limited or non-existent" from Monday to Thursday, after experiencing the first day of the limited strike yesterday (Sunday). Approximately five million passengers use the Underground daily, which comprises 272 stations and 11 lines across London and its suburbs.

Union Demands

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers announced the strike plans last month, citing severe fatigue and "harsh work shifts," along with demands for wage increases. The union stated: "The strikes came after management refused to take our demands regarding wages, fatigue management, and reducing weekly working hours seriously, and failed to adhere to previous agreements with staff."

Transport Management Response

Transport for London confirmed that it is "working hard to resolve the dispute" and offered a 3.4% pay increase for all Underground staff, but rejected a reduction in weekly working hours, deeming it impractical or unfeasible, according to statements from the agency's CEO, Claire Mann.

Impact of the Strike on Commuting

While other lines such as the Elizabeth Line and London Overground continue to operate, Transport for London warned that services may run differently and encouraged residents to walk or cycle, given the congestion on roads and other transport options like buses. It was also announced that the Docklands Light Railway would close its doors on Tuesday and Thursday.

Full service on the Underground is expected to resume by Friday before 8 a.m., with normal services across all lines returning by late morning on the same day.

Millions of Travelers Stuck in the Streets

London witnessed significant chaos today, following the start of the RMT union strike by subway drivers, as buses were packed with long lines of waiting passengers, and drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists faced severe traffic congestion, especially in the city center and on roads surrounding King's Cross St Pancras station, where the union set up official picket lines.

Limited Metro Lines Operating Under Huge Pressure

The only lines that continued to operate were the Elizabeth Line and Overground, but they could not accommodate the massive number of passengers, leading to significant overcrowding at station entrances and exits.

The TfL website's downtime due to the pressure of searching for travel alternatives increased passengers' suffering, as many were unable to plan their journeys in time.

Political and Social Reactions

Some Conservative MPs accused London Mayor Sadiq Khan of failing to address the crisis, describing his silence as a dereliction of responsibility in the face of the worst transport crisis in years.

In contrast, the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Paul Nowak, defended the strike, asserting that the right to strike is democratic and highlights the long working hours and difficult health and safety conditions faced by subway drivers.

Impact of the Strike on Businesses

BusinessLDN's Deputy CEO, Manya Browne, warned that the strike would severely affect small businesses and sectors reliant on daily customer movement, particularly in hospitality, retail, and culture, and called for an urgent agreement between the union and TfL to alleviate the crisis.

Conclusion

The London Underground strike illustrates the fragility of the public transport network in the face of labor disputes, leaving millions of travelers stuck in unprecedented traffic chaos. While the union demands improved working conditions, the question remains about the authorities' ability to find a swift solution before the crisis worsens.