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London Underground employees organised by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) have had a number of disputes with both London Underground and privatised contractors including Metronet and Tube Lines over pay, safety, pensions and job security, leading to travel disruption in the capital. Due to the disruption this causes, the usage of both driverless trains and retired train drivers have been suggested as solutions to keep services running on strike days.
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Public opinion
In two separate polls, the Evening Standard found that a large majority of Londoners were in favour of making it more difficult for Tube workers to strike. In the first poll in 2013, 59% agreed that it was too easy for them to go on strike and 14% disagreed. In the second poll in 2014, 56% were in favour of banning Tube strikes unless 50% of eligible union members voted in favour of a strike. A poll for LBC radio found that 65% of people in London did not support the current tube strikes and 16% said they supported them. Amongst the general population, 46% said the August 2015 strikes were unjustified whereas 19% said they were justified according to a YouGov poll.
Legislation
The government has proposed to raise the strike threshold so that a strike can only take place if there is a 50% turnout and, in the case of core public services (Health, Education, Transport & Fire Services), if 40% of eligible workers are in favour. This change would make it more difficult for Tube workers to go on strike.