London Tube workers begin first full-stage walkout since 2023; network to shut from 6pm

London Underground staff began a full-stage strike on the morning of Sept. 7, 2025, in the first such walkout since 2023, with limited services running early in the day before the entire network is due to close from 6 p.m. on Sunday until about 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 12.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) is leading the action over pay and working conditions, demanding a cash pay increase and a reduction in the working week from 35 to 32 hours. Transport for London (TfL) has offered a 3.4% pay rise and said cutting hours would be "unaffordable and impractical." TfL warned commuters that alternative services are likely to be extremely busy and urged the union to return to talks.

Nick Dent, TfL's director of customer operations for the Tube, said the authority had met the RMT four times in recent weeks and remained available for further negotiations. "We would welcome further talks. It is not too late to call off the strikes and put our offer to the RMT members," he said. On the RMT side, general secretary Eddie Dempsey said members were not seeking a "King's ransom" but raised concerns about fatigue, extreme shift rotations and staff travel arrangements that they say have not been adequately addressed.

The planned shutdown will be the Underground's first complete network closure since March 2023, when widespread industrial action also disrupted services. Commuters on Monday were already seeking alternative routes; Tube stations that normally handle large passenger volumes reported reduced footfall while buses, the London Overground and light-rail services expected increased demand.

Docklands Light Railway (DLR) services will also be suspended on Tuesday and Thursday this week as part of a separate dispute, adding another layer of disruption for east and southeast London. TfL has cautioned that some replacement or alternative trains could be so full that they may not be able to call at all stations normally shared with the Underground.

Transport disruption on this scale is likely to affect businesses and markets in and around the capital by limiting commuter access and increasing travel times for staff and customers. Firms that rely on peak-time footfall, including retail and hospitality venues in central London, may face revenue impacts during the strike period. Employers have been advised to consider remote working where possible and to allow flexibility in start and finish times to reduce pressure on constrained transport links.

The RMT said its stance reflects long-standing grievances over rostering, working hours and staff welfare, and that the union will continue to engage with London Underground management in pursuit of a revised offer. TfL reiterated that management and the union had been in recent talks and said it remained open to further engagement to try to resolve the dispute.

Commuters and businesses planning travel are being urged to check TfL's service updates and to allow extra time for journeys. TfL's public guidance said alternative transport routes are expected to be "extremely busy" throughout the strike period and warned passengers to expect significant delays and altered service patterns while negotiations continue.