LONDON – On Sunday, a significant number of London Underground employees initiated a series of strikes concerning pay and working conditions, posing a considerable disruption to the subway system utilized by millions daily.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union announced that its members, which include drivers, signal operators, and maintenance staff, will participate in staggered strikes that extend until Thursday.

Transport for London, the transit operator, reported major disruptions on Sunday and anticipated minimal or no train services from Monday through Thursday.

TfL has proposed a 3.4% salary increase to its employees, but the union is demanding the workweek be reduced from 35 hours to 32 hours, a concession TfL claims it cannot afford.

The union contends that the workforce on the Underground has decreased by 2,000 since 2018, leading to heightened pressure from demanding shift schedules.

No talks between union and management are currently planned, and the union called on Mayor Sadiq Khan to intervene to end the dispute.