Workers from second transport union to strike on first day of biggest walkout since 1989

Business

Commuters are set to face more transport misery in London on 21 June when a planned strike takes place on the Tube and the country’s railways.

Unite the union has announced its members at Transport for London and London Underground will take part in industrial action on that date – the same day as a national walkout by another union.

Yesterday, the RMT said up to 50,000 of its members across Network Rail, 13 train operators and on the underground would strike on 21 June in the “biggest outbreak of industrial action in the UK since 1989”.

Further action by the RMT is planned on 23 and 25 June.

Talks are to be held and a contingency plan drawn up in a bid to avert the largest rail strike in more than three decades.

The strike action later this month threatens travel chaos for commuters and those heading to major events including the Glastonbury festival.

The disputes are over jobs, pay and pensions with the union complaining that railway staff, who worked throughout the pandemic, are facing job cuts, a pay freeze and an attack on employment conditions.

Discussions between Network Rail and the union are expected to be held in the next few days, sources told the PA news agency.