The RMT union is being urged not to “steal Christmas from Londoners” with its wave of strikes hitting the festive period.
Westminster Council leader Paul Swaddle issued the appeal, stressing that the run-up to Christmas is vital for many pubs, restaurants, theatres and other businesses in the capital.
He spoke out just days after the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) announced eight walkouts ahead of Christmas, including Thursday December 17 and Saturday December 19, and into the New Year.
Union row over four-day week
The union row with Transport for London (TfL) is over a voluntary four-day week for Tube drivers without any cut in their pay.
Cllr Swaddle told The Standard: “Yet again the RMT Grinch is trying to steal Christmas from Londoners, and this year it has picked the last shopping weekend of the year to do it. “Westminster’s shops, restaurants and theatres have had a tough enough year without a union walking out on their busiest days, and Labour is looking on while it happens.”
The Conservative council leader added: “Sadiq Khan runs the Tube and Andy Burnham runs the country, so where are they? Londoners shouldn’t have to wait for a Christmas miracle. “Get round the table, get this sorted and call off the strikes.”
Aslef backs reforms
The RMT alleges that TfL is launching a “wholesale attack on drivers' working conditions”.
But its claims were dealt a huge blow by the Aslef train drivers’ union fully backing the reforms.
Aslef hailed the changes as offering drivers the best working conditions on the whole rail network including less time at work and rostered hours being cut from an average of 36 to 34 a week.
Strike dates and talks
The eight 24-hour strikes are on:
- Thursday 26 November 2026
- Thursday 17 December 2026
- Saturday 19 December 2026
- Monday 4 January 2027
- Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Wednesday 17 February 2027
- Tuesday 23 February 2027
- Thursday 25 February 2027
Talks have been taking place for months between TfL and the RMT to try to resolve the dispute.
London Underground stressed that drivers could now choose to stay on a five-day week with a guarantee of remaining at the same depot.
“This will give our colleagues a real, meaningful choice on their working pattern without having to change where they work,” said LU’s director of customer operations Nick Dent. “This will also mean less time at work for Tube drivers, while delivering a more efficient, reliable Tube service for our customers.”
TfL has dismissed RMT claims that the reforms would increase driver fatigue and stressed they were voluntary.
But RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “RMT is not opposed to a genuine four-day working week that benefits our members, but we will not accept it being used as a vehicle for job cuts, intensified working and the erosion of terms and conditions.“London Underground must withdraw these damaging proposals and engage seriously with the union to reach a negotiated settlement.”
