Londoners are set to come down to earth with a bump after the Jubilee weekend, as Tube workers are going on strike the day after the bank holiday.
Some 4,000 Tube employees are set to walk out on June 6, plunging the Underground network into chaos.
The strike comes over a dispute on job losses, after Transport for London (TfL) said it would axe 500-600 positions as part of efforts to shore up its finances.
TfL said it was “committed to protecting as many jobs as possible for people who work here today” and that it would cut jobs by not replacing people who left or retired. Some 250 of the job losses will be customer service positions.
Southwark among worst London boroughs for injuries from traffic accidents
But RMT union boss Mick Cash said union members were “not willing to accept” job losses.
He added: “Station staff play a crucial role in serving the travelling public and were heroes during the 7/7 terrorist attacks.
“Instead of seeking to cut jobs, TfL and Mayor Sadiq Khan need to put further pressure on the government to secure increased funding for the network so we can have a properly staffed modern 21st century tube.”
Andy Lord, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer, said TfL was “extremely disappointed” by the strike plans.
He added: “It is particularly surprising that the RMT has threatened to spoil this moment when the nation is coming together as nobody has or will lose their jobs as a result of the proposals we have set out and there have been no proposals on pension changes.”