Londoners woke up on Monday, September 8, 2025, to a city gridlocked by an industrial dispute that brought the capital’s famed Tube network to a near standstill. After weeks of mounting tension between transport workers and management, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) launched rolling strike action over pay and working conditions—leaving millions of commuters scrambling for alternatives and the city’s transportation arteries in chaos.
The strike, which began on Sunday, September 7, is set to continue until Thursday, September 11, according to BBC News. Each day, a different segment of the RMT’s membership is walking out, resulting in little or no service on all London Underground lines at various times. It’s not just the Tube that’s affected: the Elizabeth line and the Overground are technically operating, but they’re far busier than usual, with many Londoners funneled onto these lines in hopes of salvaging their morning commutes. National Rail services have also felt the knock-on effects, as some routes run over London Underground tracks and through Tube stations, compounding the disruption.
“There is little or no service on all of the Tube as different parts of RMT membership walk out on different days,” reported BBC News, highlighting the rolling nature of the action. The result? A capital city where the normal rhythm of daily life—work, school, appointments, and errands—has been upended by the largest transport walkout in recent memory.
Long queues for buses snaked through major thoroughfares on Monday, with frustrated commuters standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the early autumn drizzle. BBC News described the scenes: “There were long queues for buses.” Many Londoners found themselves forced to improvise, whether by cycling, walking, or simply working from home if their jobs allowed it. For those whose work requires a physical presence—healthcare workers, teachers, shopkeepers, and countless others—the disruption has been particularly acute.
According to a chart published by Transport for London and cited by BBC News, the disruption is far from a one-day affair. Severe service disruption is expected on the London Underground from September 8 to September 11. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is set to have no service at all on September 9 and September 11. Even after the main strike period, some services on the Underground are expected to be disrupted on the morning of September 12, and buses are projected to experience some disruption on that day as well.
“The Elizabeth line and the Overground are operating but will be much busier than usual,” reported BBC News. For many, this meant standing room only—if they could squeeze aboard at all. The ripple effects extended beyond the city center, as commuters from the suburbs found themselves delayed or stranded, with fewer options and longer journeys.
Behind the scenes, the dispute centers on pay and conditions for London Underground workers. The RMT, representing engineering, station, and train staff, has argued that their members deserve fairer compensation and improved working arrangements, especially in light of the challenges faced during and after the pandemic. While the union has not released a new public statement as the strike entered full force, previous disputes have hinged on the cost of living in the capital, changes to pension arrangements, and proposed modifications to shift patterns.
For many Londoners, the strike has revived memories of past industrial actions, but the scale and timing of this week’s disruption—coming at the tail end of summer holidays and as schools return—has made it especially disruptive. The city’s business community has voiced concern about the economic impact, noting that lost productivity, missed appointments, and delayed deliveries could cost millions of pounds over the course of the week.
Commuters interviewed by local media expressed a mix of frustration and resignation. Some sympathized with the workers’ demands, recognizing the pressures of working in one of the world’s most expensive cities. Others were less forgiving, venting their anger at both the union and management for failing to reach a compromise before services ground to a halt. “It’s impossible to get to work on time,” one commuter told BBC London. “I understand why they’re striking, but it doesn’t make it any easier for the rest of us.”
Transport for London (TfL) has advised travelers to check before they travel and to allow extra time for their journeys, but for many, even the best-laid plans have gone awry. With buses packed to capacity and alternative routes stretched thin, some have taken to social media to share their tales of woe—or, occasionally, to offer tips on navigating the disrupted network.
The strike has also put a spotlight on the city’s broader transportation infrastructure. While the Elizabeth line and Overground provide some relief, the heavy reliance on the Tube for daily movement underscores the vulnerability of a system where so many routes are interconnected. When one part of the network falters, the whole city feels the impact.
Meanwhile, the RMT’s rolling action has been carefully calibrated to maximize leverage while minimizing the risk of legal challenge. By staggering walkouts among different groups of workers, the union ensures that disruption is prolonged and unpredictable—making it harder for management to plan around the strikes or bring in replacement staff.
Looking ahead, the coming days are expected to bring more of the same. With no service on the DLR on September 9 and September 11, and further disruption anticipated on the London Underground through September 11, the city faces a week of uncertainty and inconvenience. Buses, too, are expected to be affected by the tail end of the action on September 12, as the system struggles to recover from the week’s upheaval.
For now, the hope among many Londoners is that both sides can return to the negotiating table and find a resolution that addresses workers’ concerns without leaving the city’s commuters in the lurch. Until then, patience—and perhaps a sturdy pair of walking shoes—seems to be the order of the day.
The ongoing strike serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance that keeps a city like London moving. With so much riding on the smooth operation of its transport network, even a few days of disruption can send shockwaves through every corner of the capital. As the week unfolds, all eyes will be on the talks between the RMT and Transport for London, and on the millions of Londoners adapting, once again, to a city in flux.
