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Tube Strikes Latest: First of Six Day-Long Walkouts in London Begins
RMT drivers are striking over working hours, forcing a full Circle line closure and leaving TfL warning of delays until services recover.
Tube drivers in the RMT union launched a 24-hour strike on Tuesday, closing the Circle line completely and causing widespread delays across the London Underground network into Wednesday morning.
Transport for London proposed a four-day working week to improve flexibility, but RMT officials rejected the plan; union representative Jared Wood stated members strongly opposed it, citing concerns over shift lengths and annual leave.
Small businesses report the strikes hit profits, with one owner stating, "The Tube strikes are terrible for small businesses like us." Commuters adapted by using Lime bikes and alternative routes to navigate the city.
The RMT plans four more 24-hour strikes in May and June unless the dispute resolves. Separately, Stagecoach bus routes face a 24-hour strike starting Friday, compounding travel disruptions across the capital.
Recent economic figures show UK inflation rose to 3.3% in March from 3% in February. Higher motor fuel costs drove an 8.7% monthly increase, marking the largest rise in over three years.
Many Londoners have had to go back to walking or cycling on Wednesday: strikes are severely disrupting the subway in the British capital this week, drivers denouncing a new organization of working time. ...