Tube strikes: Travel chaos as London Underground drivers set to walk out

The RMT union has announced a series of 24-hour strikes over the next few months over disputes over working hours for London Underground drivers.

Union members will stop work at noon on March 24 and 26, April 21 and 23, and May 19 and 21.

The RMT said its members had been moved to action as transport bosses pushed ahead with a plan to compress a normal working week into four days, despite the proposals being rejected by a majority of train operators in a referendum.

The union said its members had concerns about shift lengths, working time arrangements, transfer and allocation processes and their potential impact on fatigue and safety.

In response, Transport for London (TfL) added that the proposed four-day working week would only apply to train drivers on the Bakerloo line and that changes to working patterns would be voluntary. He called on the union to cancel the proposed strike action.

Strike dates are as follows:

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “London Underground is seeking major changes to working patterns that have already been rejected by our members.

“We recognize that these recommendations raise serious concerns about fatigue, safety and work-life balance.

“Despite our best efforts over many months, we have not been able to achieve a satisfactory outcome, so we have no choice but to announce strike dates.

“There is still time for London Underground to find a workable solution, but if we cannot reach a negotiated solution we will go on strike.”

A TfL spokesman said: “We shared our proposal for a four-day working week with our unions last year. Since then, we have been consulting with them about how best to implement the new working model. We have only begun discussions with our unions about how to implement a four-day working week for train drivers on the Bakerloo line.”

“This strike threat is completely unnecessary and will have a serious impact on businesses and commuters in London and we urge them to cancel this action. “The changes will be voluntary, there will be no reduction in contract hours and those who wish to maintain the five-day working week model will be able to do so.

“These changes will allow us to increase reliability, improve our ability to distribute our drivers flexibly and provide a modern and efficient service at no additional cost.”