A 24-hour strike by London Underground drivers has brought severe disruption to tube services across the capital on Tuesday. The action, led by the RMT union, involves about half of all tube drivers, with a second strike scheduled for Thursday.
Transport for London (TfL) reported severe delays on the Bakerloo, District, Hammersmith and City, Victoria, Piccadilly and Northern lines. Around half of tube services are expected to run, and passengers have been urged to check before travelling. Buses are operating as normal but are very busy due to extra traffic.
The dispute centres on the introduction of a voluntary four-day working week. Aslef, the other union representing tube drivers, has welcomed the proposals and is not striking, which has limited the impact. The RMT accused TfL of failing to address concerns over fatigue, shift lengths and safety. A spokesperson said: 'Despite our best efforts in Acas talks, TfL have failed to provide assurances on our members’ deeply held concerns.'
TfL expressed disappointment, stating that the four-day week proposals are voluntary and designed to improve work-life balance. Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said: 'Any of our tube drivers who do not wish to take up the new proposed way of working can remain on a five-day working pattern.'
The action follows last-minute negotiations at Acas, which failed to avert the strike. Business groups warned of the damaging uncertainty, with Ed Richardson of BusinessLDN noting that many businesses have already seen cancelled bookings.
