London Underground Drivers to Stage Eight Strikes Over Work Changes
London Underground drivers will stage eight 24-hour strikes from November 26 through February in a dispute over proposed changes to their working arrangements. The RMT union opposes a voluntary four-day week plan, while Transport for London says drivers would work fewer hours overall and retain a choice of working five days.
London Underground drivers will stage eight 24-hour strikes from November 26 through February over proposed changes to their working arrangements, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union announced.
The walkouts are scheduled for November 26, December 17 and 19, January 4 and 6, and February 17, 23 and 25. The action could disrupt journeys across the network in the run-up to Christmas and into the new year.
The RMT says Transport for London (TfL) is seeking to introduce a voluntary four-day working week that would bring longer driving hours and less predictable shifts. TfL says drivers would work fewer hours overall and could choose to stay on a five-day week.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “London Underground is attempting to dress up a wholesale attack on drivers' working conditions as a voluntary four-day week.”
Dempsey said members were being asked to spend more time driving trains and accept longer shifts. The union also said it believed the proposals could “pave the way for hundreds of job cuts”.
TfL says drivers who stay on a five-day week would be guaranteed to remain at the same depot. Nick Dent, director of customer operations for London Underground, said the plan offered “a real, meaningful choice on their working pattern without having to change where they work.”
Dent said the changes would mean less time at work for drivers while providing a more efficient and reliable service. Under TfL’s proposal, most drivers’ working week would fall from 36 hours to 35 hours, with paid meal breaks introduced while contractual hours remain unchanged.
The RMT wants a 32-hour week over four days, with drivers receiving the same salary while working three fewer hours each week. The union has not accepted TfL’s proposals despite further talks.
A previous series of strikes over the issue in the spring caused significant disruption, with some lines entirely closed. About half of London Underground drivers belong to the RMT, while many others are represented by the Aslef union.
Aslef said it was “surprised” by the planned action. Finn Brennan, the union’s full-time organizer on London Underground, said the voluntary four-day week would give drivers an extra 35 days off each year, with rosters based on a 34-hour week.
Business group BusinessLDN said the strikes were likely to affect hospitality in particular during the run-up to Christmas. Its transport program director, Ed Richardson, said: “We urge both sides to reach an agreement urgently and avoid these damaging strikes.”
