Strike (industrial action)
What it really means
When rail or Tube staff stop work in a dispute, services are cancelled or heavily reduced. Announcements call it "industrial action". Strike dates are announced in advance, so plan a different way to travel on those days.
Context, tips & common mistakes
Rail and Underground strikes are announced days or weeks ahead and covered heavily in the news; on strike days expect anything from a skeleton timetable to no service, with the mornings after a strike also starting late and messy. Check your operator's strike page as soon as dates are announced rather than on the morning itself.
Tickets for strike-affected days are normally usable on nearby dates or refundable — the operator's website states the easement each time, and Advance tickets gain flexibility they usually lack. Build a plan B: coaches book out fast once dates are public, and employers are generally understanding about remote working on strike days. Buses, trams and roads all get busier, so leave margin even if your own service claims to run.
Example conversation
What you could say back
No spoken reply needed for this one.