Rail for London Infrastructure strike to go ahead after bosses refuse to negotiate

The 24-hour walkout will begin at 6:00am on Saturday and finish at 5:59am on Sunday this weekend, affecting critical infrastructure repairs and maintenance across the network.

The dispute has come about due to RFLI’s refusal to address unsafe and exploitative working practices, including:

• Dangerous rostering practices that create instability and health and safety risks, including single rest days and short-notice changes.

• Delays in skill-based pay progression, leaving members unfairly out of pocket despite developing their competencies.

• Deduction of paid meal breaks from annual leave entitlements, effectively cutting members’ leave.

• Promotion policies that favour external recruitment over the career progression of existing staff.

• Safety failings, with members raising concerns about inadequate planning and the compromising of safe systems of work.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our members are taking action because Rail for London Infrastructure has refused to address their legitimate concerns and has point blank refused to meet with us. 

“The company’s arrogance and disregard for its workers’ safety, pay progression, and working conditions is completely unacceptable.

“We remain ready to negotiate, but the ball is firmly in the employer’s court. Until they engage meaningfully with the union, our members will continue to fight for their rights and for a safe, fair workplace.” 

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NOTES: Rail for London Infrastructure is a TfL subsidiary that does infrastructure repairs and maintenance on the Crossrail Central Operating Section (CCOS). This makes up most of the route used by Elizabeth line services that is not part of the Network rail network.