Tube passengers warned Monday’s strike will go-ahead after social media confusion

Londoners are being warned that next Monday’s strike by Tube workers in protest at plans to close ticket offices and axe hundreds of jobs is still set to go ahead.

Plans to axe the ticket offices and redeploy staff to ticket halls and platforms were confirmed last year by Mayor Boris Johnson and Mike Brown, Managing Director of London Underground

Both the Mayor and LU say the closures are necessary to modernise the service for Londoners and reflect the ongoing move away from paper tickets to Oyster and contactless fares.

The RMT union opposes the cuts on safety grounds and warn disabled passengers may find themselves unable to complete their journeys due to a lack of staff, claims denied by LU.

Last week the union announced Tube staff would hold a 48 hour strike from 9pm on Monday April 28th followed by a three-day strike 9pm on Monday May 5th.

The strike is expected to cause widespread disruption to passengers.

News that a separate strike in protest at changes to staff pensions, also due to start on Monday, has been suspended sparked confusion on social media, with Londoners and some news outlets incorrectly reporting that the Tube strike had been called-off.

Earlier on Thursday LU bossed urged the RMT to engage in talks to resolve the differences between the two sides.

Passengers are being advised to check TfL’s website for details of services and to plan alternative routes if the strike goes ahead.