Commuters are bracing for four days of travel disruption as the RMT union prepares to strike on London Underground. The industrial action is set to begin from midday on Tuesday, April 21, and again from midday on Thursday, April 23, each lasting 24 hours.
The walkouts, involving underground drivers in the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), are over a dispute concerning the working week. The union claims that plans to reduce it to four days would increase tiredness and compromise safety.
Transport for London (TfL) has urged the union to call off the strikes, warning of significant disruption. Services will vary across lines, with the Piccadilly and Circle lines expected to be shut down. There will be no services on the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate, or on the Central line between White City and Aldgate.
Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden criticised the strikes, stating: 'Sir Sadiq Khan promised zero strikes, but London is being crippled while the militant backers of Labour MPs, the RMT, call the shots.' TfL's chief operating officer Claire Mann described the walkouts as 'completely unnecessary' and stressed that the proposed changes to the working week are voluntary.
TfL has advised passengers to check before they travel, as the level of service will vary across lines on strike days.
