Transport for London (TfL) bosses insist they have not changed their position on a four-day working week after Tube strikes were suspended "at the eleventh hour" by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT). The union announced on Monday, May 18, that the walkout threatening to disrupt London Underground services for the remainder of this week will no longer go ahead, citing TfL's willingness to 'compromise on rosters, fatigue and safety issues'.
No Change in Stance, Says TfL
TfL stated it has not been in contact with the RMT since Friday, May 15, when a representative wrote to the union about the voluntary introduction of a four-day week. In an email seen by MyLondon, the transport authority reiterated that Tube drivers can choose not to opt in to the new pattern and can continue working the current five-day week across 36 hours. TfL added that staff are monitoring the success of the four-day week trial currently underway on the Bakerloo line before developing an agreement for drivers across the entire Tube network.
Concluding the email, transport bosses called on the RMT to call off the strike process, stating that "continued strike action will not answer these questions [about the four-day week] more quickly, it instead risks delaying the very discussions required to resolve them."
RMT's Response and New Strike Dates
The RMT declined to comment further when approached by MyLondon. A union spokesperson said earlier: "At the 11th hour the employer has shifted its position allowing us to further explore our members' concerns around the imposition of new rosters, fatigue and safety issues. The dispute is not over and more strike action will follow if we fail to make sufficient progress."
Both 24-hour strikes originally scheduled for Tuesday, June 16 and Thursday, June 18 have also been called off. However, the RMT has announced new strike dates for Tuesday, June 2 and Thursday, June 4.
TfL's Statement
Nick Dent, Director of Customer Operations for London Underground, said: "We are pleased that RMT has withdrawn its planned industrial action this week. This is good news for London. Our proposal for a voluntary four-day week is designed to improve both work-life balance for drivers and the reliability of service for customers. We look forward to further discussions on the implementation of these proposals with all of our trade unions."
