St George’s Day London Tube strikes confirmed with exact times | UK | News
St George’s Day will take place on Thursday, April 23, but you may not be able to make it to a local celebration on the London Underground. Tube strikes will last 24 hours this Thursday. This means they coincide with the day when the patron saint of England is celebrated.
Strikes by London Underground drivers will threaten travel disruption for commuters and visitors to the capital, including those heading for a traditional pub pint on St George’s Day. The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has confirmed that its members will be off work for 24 hours from 12pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The union blames Transport for London (TFL) for the action and says it was prompted by a decision to introduce a new, four-day working week.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “We have approached negotiations with TfL in good faith throughout this entire process, but despite our best efforts TfL appears unwilling to make any concessions to avoid strike action.
“This is extremely disappointing and took our negotiators by surprise.
“TfL’s approach is not one that will lead to industrial peace and is not one that will infuriate our members who want to see a negotiated solution to this avoidable dispute.”
TfL said services will vary between lines and urged passengers to check before travelling.
Although the main event in Trafalgar Square for St George’s Day is held on Sunday 19 April, some events are held for St George on 23 April.
The Royal Society of St George is hosting a St George’s Day Banquet at the Mansion House from 6pm, according to tourism travel firm Umbrella Transfers. The Order of St George is holding its St George’s Day Celebration Dinner at the National Liberal Club; It begins with a drinks reception at 7 p.m., including a three-course dinner focused on sirloin, with a patriotic performance of Jerusalem played on the club’s Steinway grand piano. Concerts are also expected at the Guard Chapel on Birdcage Walk.
But he adds: “But for most Londoners April 23 is a pub day. Flag-raising, a pint of ale, a slice of pie. The country’s national day is best celebrated when there’s no fuss.”
TfL chief operating officer Claire Mann said: “We have put forward proposals to the RMT for a four-day working week.
“This allows us to offer train operators an additional day off, whilst also aligning the London Underground with the operating models of other train operating companies, improving reliability and flexibility at no additional cost.
“The changes will be voluntary, there will be no reduction in contract hours and those who wish to continue the five-day working week will be able to do so.”
