Request ID: FOI-0092-2324 Date published: 11 May 2023
You asked
Hi,
I’m a ______ at the ________ and would like to know if you have any records with the dates of tube strikes from 2018 to 2023.
Thanks in advance,
We answered
TfL Ref: 0092-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 6 and 14 April 2023, asking for information about London Underground and National Rail strike action from 2018 to 2023 to assist with your research.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require. You asked for:
any records with the dates of tube strikes from 2018 to 2023
A strike is what is normally referred to as a withdrawal of labour by an organised group of employees in protest at the organisation’s action or proposed course of action in a particular matter. The impact of any strike action taken against the organisation varies and is dependent on the nature of the dispute, the number of unions involved and where the strike has been called. Therefore the impact of the strikes listed below vary from affecting the whole Tube network to localised action affecting only part of the Tube network.
We encourage unions to engage in discussions to resolve any disputes that may result in industrial action. When it has not been possible to prevent industrial action, we roll out well prepared operational plans to ensure that services operate safely at all times under busier than normal conditions.
We also deploy additional staff (including managers and revenue control staff) to assist local staff and provide travel advice to customers to minimise disruption. We issue communications prior and on the day of action to provide customers with key travel messaging; information relating to services available and alternative routes. Extra bus and river services are also operated to help customers get around, and we continue to update the TfL website as well as our other social media outlets, which we encourage our customers to check frequently to see how their journeys could be affected.
In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of some of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
Do you also have records of rail strikes or these records are managed by private companies
Rail services are indeed managed by privatised train operating companies, which operate independently of Transport for London. Their contact details are listed on the National Rail Enquiries webpage here:
Whilst some of the information provided in the above press releases does reference National Rail strike action where applicable, for example when mentioning the London Overground and Elizabeth line train networks, there are also parts of National Rail infrastructure which are used by London Underground services too. Hence. these services would also be affected by Network Rail industrial action, as the latter is responsible for maintaining both the mainline infrastructure and the track signalling technology that goes with it.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
