Windrush Line strike action over pay and conditions coming soon

RMT members working on the Windrush Line will take strike action after their employer refused to make a decent pay offer. The action will involve monthly 24 hour strikes, starting in February.

The Windrush Line is part of the London Overground network. It runs between Highbury & Islington in the north to West Croydon in the south. Another branch heads west towards Clapham Junction.

Workers employed by Cleshar CS Ltd, including the vital signalling and telecoms team, have been offered just a 1.5 per cent pay rise, well below the current rate of RPI inflation.

The dispute also involves ongoing problems with overtime and annual leave pay, and inferior terms and conditions compared with those in place under the previous contractor, Carillion.

Windrush Line Thursday strikes

Strike action will take place on Thursday 26 February, Thursday 26 March and Thursday 23 April 2026, with each strike running for 24 hours.

Signals and telecoms staff carry out safety-critical duties. Without their important work, trains will not be able to run.

The employer already relies heavily on overtime because of understaffing, highlighting how central the workforce is to the operation of the line.

Cleshar CS Ltd made a profit of £991,915 in its most recent financial year and paid out more than £533,000 in dividends.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said:

Our members have been insulted with such a derisory offer and have no choice but to take strike action.

This company is highly profitable and can afford a decent offer for these safety-critical workers.

Strike action would be disruptive and our members do not want to inconvenience passengers.

But the company has a duty to pay our people properly and we will continue our campaign until we reach a negotiated settlement.

Featured image via the Canary