Strikes by drivers on London Underground next week will go ahead, the RMT union has announced, paving the way for more days of transport disruption. Two 24-hour stoppages are scheduled from 00:01 to 23:59 on Tuesday, June 2, and Thursday, June 4, due to disagreements over a planned four-day week.
Union Concerns and TfL Response
An RMT spokesperson stated: “Strike action by London Underground drivers next week is scheduled to go ahead following TfL’s continued refusal to engage meaningfully with the union’s concerns over the proposed compressed four-day working arrangements. Our members have raised serious concerns around fatigue, longer shifts, reduced flexibility and the impact these proposals could have in a safety-critical role.”
Transport for London (TfL) said it expects services on most tube lines during the strikes but has warned commuters to expect disruption. Other services, including the Elizabeth line, London Overground, DLR, and trams, will run as scheduled but are likely to be busier than normal.
TfL has emphasized that its proposals for a four-day week would be trialled on a voluntary basis. The plan has been endorsed by the Aslef union, which represents a slight majority of tube drivers.
TfL Urges Resolution
Claire Mann, chief operating officer at TfL, expressed disappointment that the RMT is continuing industrial action. “We still believe that the points they have raised can be worked out in time, through more detailed discussions and we are continuing to talk to the union’s representatives to find a way to avoid disruption to London,” she said.
She urged the RMT to collaborate with TfL to resolve the dispute, adding: “A significant number of drivers have indicated that they want us to progress plans for the pilot of this new working pattern on the Bakerloo line, bringing benefits both for our colleagues and our customers.”
Background and Previous Actions
The RMT’s opposition to London Underground’s voluntary four-day week proposal has already led to industrial action, most recently in April. Hopes for a resolution were raised when the RMT called off a two-day strike planned for mid-May at the last minute. However, the union simultaneously moved forward further strikes from June 16 and 18 to June 2 and 4, stating that the dispute is not over and that it is prepared to take more action if progress is insufficient.
The RMT said it remains “available for meaningful talks” with TfL but cautioned London Underground against implementing changes to drivers’ working conditions “while refusing to properly address legitimate safety and workplace concerns.”
Previous waves of industrial action by the RMT over the four-day week proposals have garnered little public sympathy and have also mystified Aslef, which views the proposal as a significant improvement in working conditions for tube drivers.
