RMT Union Secures Three-Year Pay Deal for London Underground Workers, Averting Strikes
Published 4 November 2025
Highlights
- The RMT union has secured a three-year pay deal for London Underground workers, averting further Tube strikes.
- The agreement includes a 3.4% pay increase from April 2025, with subsequent rises of 3% and 2.5% in the following years.
- The deal, linked to RPI inflation, could increase drivers' salaries to nearly £80,000 by 2027.
- No changes to working hours were included, despite union demands for a reduced workweek.
- The agreement still requires formal acceptance from other unions, including Aslef, Unite, and TSSA.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: RMT Union Secures Three-Year Pay Deal for London Underground Workers, Averting Strikes
In a significant development for London's public transport sector, the RMT union has successfully negotiated a three-year pay deal for London Underground workers, effectively averting further Tube strikes. The agreement, which follows a series of disruptive strikes in September, promises a 3.4% pay increase effective from April 2025, with additional rises of 3% in the second year and 2.5% in the third year.
The deal, which aligns with RPI inflation rather than the typically used CPI, ensures that drivers' salaries could reach nearly £80,000 by 2027. This outcome is seen as a triumph for the RMT, which attributed the success to the strategic industrial action taken by its members. RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey remarked, "This deal is a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of strike action and strong negotiation by our members."
Despite the pay increase, the union's demand for a reduced working week was not met, as Transport for London (TfL) deemed it unworkable and unaffordable. A TfL spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the agreement, stating, "This multi-year offer is fair, affordable, and provides certainty for our colleagues over pay for several years."
The agreement still awaits formal acceptance from other unions, including Aslef, Unite, and TSSA, although no objections are anticipated. The current basic salary for Tube drivers stands at £71,170, with station staff earning between £30,000 and £45,000.
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Scenario Analysis
The successful negotiation of this pay deal marks a pivotal moment for the RMT union and its members, potentially setting a precedent for similar agreements across the transport sector. As the deal awaits formal acceptance from other unions, the focus may shift to broader discussions on working conditions and further wage negotiations.
Should the agreement be ratified without opposition, it could stabilize relations between TfL and its workforce, reducing the likelihood of future industrial action. However, the unresolved issue of working hours may resurface in future negotiations, particularly if economic conditions change or if other sectors achieve more favorable terms.
In a significant development for London's public transport sector, the RMT union has successfully negotiated a three-year pay deal for London Underground workers, effectively averting further Tube strikes. The agreement, which follows a series of disruptive strikes in September, promises a 3.4% pay increase effective from April 2025, with additional rises of 3% in the second year and 2.5% in the third year.
The deal, which aligns with RPI inflation rather than the typically used CPI, ensures that drivers' salaries could reach nearly £80,000 by 2027. This outcome is seen as a triumph for the RMT, which attributed the success to the strategic industrial action taken by its members. RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey remarked, "This deal is a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of strike action and strong negotiation by our members."
Despite the pay increase, the union's demand for a reduced working week was not met, as Transport for London (TfL) deemed it unworkable and unaffordable. A TfL spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the agreement, stating, "This multi-year offer is fair, affordable, and provides certainty for our colleagues over pay for several years."
The agreement still awaits formal acceptance from other unions, including Aslef, Unite, and TSSA, although no objections are anticipated. The current basic salary for Tube drivers stands at £71,170, with station staff earning between £30,000 and £45,000.
What this might mean
The successful negotiation of this pay deal marks a pivotal moment for the RMT union and its members, potentially setting a precedent for similar agreements across the transport sector. As the deal awaits formal acceptance from other unions, the focus may shift to broader discussions on working conditions and further wage negotiations.
Should the agreement be ratified without opposition, it could stabilize relations between TfL and its workforce, reducing the likelihood of future industrial action. However, the unresolved issue of working hours may resurface in future negotiations, particularly if economic conditions change or if other sectors achieve more favorable terms.
