The Elizabeth line in London has become the next battleground in the ongoing union action over pay, with the TSSA union declaring that any walkouts will result in the cessation of service.
Early next month, commuters on the Elizabeth line through London could be affected by strike action, adding to broad disruptions in the transportation industry.
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) is balloting managers who operate the line because they are paid “substantially less” than those in comparable positions.
The ballot is anticipated to close on December 22, and if workers vote in favor of the move, a strike could begin two weeks later.
Union leaders stated that strike action will result in the cessation of service.
It could coincide with a series of strike days called by the Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers Union (RMT).
Up to 40,000 RMT workers employed by Network Rail and 14 train operating firms are planning to strike on December 13, 14, 16, and 17 and January 3, 4, 6, and 7.
Today, union leaders are negotiating with the administration to resolve the disagreement.
Any such action is likely to result in widespread losses for the hospitality and retail industries during the key winter trading season.
The hospitality industry has warned that strike action might result in sales losses of £1.5 billion.
According to internal government estimates, strikes are already estimated to cost the rail industry £260m.
Estimates about the economic cost of the strikes vary significantly.
Between June 2022 and January 2023, economists at the Centre for Economics and Business Research estimated that rail strikes could cost the economy £691 million in worker absences alone.
The number would be significantly greater if remote work had not become more prevalent in recent years.
Mel Taylor, from TSSA, stated: “This dispute is ultimately about pay disparity and injustice across the Transport for London network. RfLI [Rail for London Infrastructure] must alter its Scrooge-like employment practices and make Christmas 2022 a joyous occasion.
“The Elizabeth Line is a fantastic addition to London’s transportation infrastructure. Our employees have years of expertise and work on the most modern railway in the country, yet they are paid much less than staff performing comparable duties elsewhere on the network, even coworkers on the same line.
“These are first-rate services rendered by first-rate employees at second-rate pay.
“As a result of low compensation, there is a significant employee turnover, a shortage of fully trained personnel, and a reliance on overtime to provide basic services.
“The Elizabeth Line would be rendered inoperable in the event of a strike by these employees. There is no need for such if RfLI can deliver a reasonable offer that does not continue to make their employees the outcasts of the network.”
