Commuter chaos as Aslef train drivers announce another London Underground strike date in March

COMMUTER chaos is expected as Aslef train drivers today announced another London Underground strike date next month.

The union have said tube workers are set to strike on March 15 for 24 hours - the same day Jeremy Hunt is set to unveil his Budget.

It comes after an ongoing dispute over pensions and working arrangements.

The vote was favoured by 99 per cent of workers.

Finn Brennan, Aslef's full-time organiser on the Underground, said: "The size of these 'yes' votes, and the large turnouts, show that our members are not prepared to put up any longer with the threats to their working conditions and pensions.

"We understand that TfL faces financial challenges, post-pandemic, but our members are simply not prepared to pay the price for the government’s failure to properly fund London’s public transport system.

"Cuts to safety training have already been forced through and management is open that they plan to remove all current working agreements under the guise of “modernisation” and “flexibility” and to replace the agreed attendance and discipline policies. 

"Proposals to slash pension benefits are due to be announced in the next week.

"We are always prepared to discuss and negotiate on changes, but our members want an unequivocal commitment from TfL that management will not continue to force through detrimental changes without agreement.

"Unless they are prepared to work with us, and accept that changes have to come by agreement, and bring real benefits to staff, rather than just cuts and cost savings, this will be only the first day of action in a protracted dispute."

Other members of the Underground, including Test Train, Engineering train drivers and those in management will also strike.

The tube strikes at the end of last year wreaked havoc for thousands.

It was the sixth walkout of the year for the Underground network.