Every few weeks, the RMT union and TfL go at it like two grumpy hedgehogs fighting over the last worm. They argue about pay, pensions, and working conditions, which sounds reasonable until you realize the result is 4 million people suddenly remembering how to walk. Fun fact: During the last big strike, Londoners collectively walked the equivalent of three times around the Earth. That’s a lot of angry pavement pounding.
But here’s the kicker: strikes are rarely announced in advance. TfL will send out a cryptic tweet at 9 PM on a Sunday, and suddenly you’re planning a route involving three buses, a Boris bike, and a prayer. The best strategy? Assume every week is a strike week until proven otherwise—it’s the Stockholm syndrome of commuting.
The Real Reason You Should Care
Not all strikes are created equal. Sometimes it’s a full-day shutdown, where the entire network gasps its last breath. Other times, it’s a “soft strike” where trains run but arrive with the enthusiasm of a teenager doing homework. Surprising fact: A “soft strike” can actually be worse than no strike, because you’ll wait 45 minutes for a train that shows up, opens its doors for three seconds, and then leaves without you—like a bad Tinder date.
And let’s not forget the leaves on the line excuse. You’d think after 150 years, someone would invent a leaf-blower, but no—it’s still the scapegoat of choice. When there’s no strike, expect delays from “signal failure at Camden Town,” which is code for “someone sneezed near a wire.”
Tube strikes cancelled: TfL 'shifts position' but new strike dates
