London Underground drivers are set to hold a series of 24-hour strikes over the Christmas period and into the new year, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has confirmed. The walkouts, which begin on November 26, stem from an ongoing dispute over the implementation of a four-day working week.
Strike dates and reasons
The 24-hour strikes will start at noon on November 26, December 17 and 19, January 4 and 6, and February 17, 23 and 25. The RMT says the action responds to plans that would see drivers spend more time driving trains, face longer duties, and experience earlier starts and later finishes.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "London Underground is attempting to dress up a wholesale attack on drivers' working conditions as a voluntary four-day week." He added that the scheme forces drivers to give up existing protections whether they work four or five days, and threatens those who refuse with displacement from their depots.
Union split over the four-day week
The rival union Aslef has voiced strong support for the four-day week, describing it as a "once in a lifetime opportunity for workers." Tube workers in favour of the work week have reportedly left the RMT in droves, transferring their membership to Aslef.
Finn Brennan, Aslef's full-time organiser on London Underground, said: "We are surprised that the RMT has, once again, decided to take strike action to try to prevent Underground drivers moving to a four-day week on a voluntary basis." He noted that the voluntary four-day week gives Tube drivers an extra 35 days off each year, with rosters based on a 34-hour week, in exchange for some changes to working conditions and a move to electronic booking systems.
Next steps and impact
Aslef is in discussions with Transport for London about the practical details of the scheme. Brennan said management has agreed that anyone wishing to keep a five-day week can do so without detriment, and Aslef will hold them to that. The strike dates are set to disrupt Tube services across the capital during the festive period and beyond.
