Strikes by London Underground drivers are set to go ahead this week after last-minute talks failed to resolve a dispute over the working week. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out on Tuesday and Thursday, causing significant disruption to Tube services across the capital.
The two sides met for several hours on Monday with the conciliation service Acas, but the discussions ended without any resolution. Transport for London (TfL) has warned that during the strike action, no service is expected on the Circle line, Piccadilly line, the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate, and the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.
Services are expected to run on all other Tube lines on both days, but passengers should anticipate disruption and varying service levels across the London Underground network. On both strike days, there will be limited service before 6.30am, and customers are advised to complete their journeys by 9pm. Normal service is expected on Wednesday and Friday.
The union is opposed to a new four-day working week due to concerns over the impact on shift lengths, fatigue, and reduced flexibility. An RMT spokesperson said: "Despite our best efforts in Acas talks, TfL have failed to provide assurances on our members' deeply held concerns around fatigue, reduced flexibility, shift lengths and the impact these proposals could have in a safety-critical role like Tube driving. We remain available for meaningful talks, but strike action tomorrow will now go ahead."
A TfL spokesperson responded: "It is bitterly disappointing that despite five hours of meetings with the RMT at Acas and repeated assurances that the four-day working week proposals will remain voluntary, RMT has chosen to continue with its disruptive strike action. We will do all we can to provide as much service as possible during this action."
