A strike on the London Underground is set to proceed on Tuesday following the failure of last-minute negotiations to resolve the dispute over the introduction of a four-day working week. Approximately half of London's tube drivers, represented by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, will walk out, causing widespread disruption across the capital. A second strike is scheduled for Thursday.
Talks at Acas Fail to Avert Action
Hopes for a resolution had been raised after previous threatened industrial action was suspended in May. However, despite intensive discussions at the conciliation service Acas between RMT representatives and Transport for London (TfL), the union confirmed that strike action would go ahead. The dispute centres on TfL's proposals for a voluntary four-day working week, which the RMT claims could lead to increased fatigue, reduced flexibility, and longer shifts for drivers in safety-critical roles.
Impact on Services
TfL has advised customers to check before travelling, as it expects to operate only about half of normal tube services. Crucially, drivers belonging to the Aslef union, who make up a slight majority of tube drivers, have welcomed the four-day week proposals and will not be striking, limiting the overall impact of the RMT's action. Nevertheless, no services will run on the Circle and Piccadilly lines, and central sections of the Metropolitan and Central lines will also be closed. Remaining lines will operate with reduced frequency and earlier finishing times.
Other rail services, including the Elizabeth line, London Overground, and Docklands Light Railway, will run as normal. Buses will operate as usual but are expected to be very busy and subject to delays due to increased traffic.
Union and TfL Statements
The RMT blamed TfL's "refusal to engage meaningfully" with concerns over working patterns. A union spokesperson said: "Despite our best efforts in Acas talks, TfL have failed to provide assurances on our members' deeply held concerns around fatigue, reduced flexibility, shift lengths and the impact these proposals could have in a safety-critical role like tube driving. We remain available for meaningful talks, but strike action tomorrow will now go ahead."
A TfL spokesperson expressed disappointment: "It is bitterly disappointing that despite five hours of meetings with the RMT at Acas and repeated assurances that the four-day working week proposals will remain voluntary, RMT has chosen to continue with its disruptive strike action. We will do all we can to provide as much service as possible during this action."
Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, emphasised the voluntary nature of the proposals: "Our proposals are, and have always been, clear. The completely voluntary four-day week has been designed to improve work-life balance and any of our tube drivers who do not wish to take up the new proposed way of working and associated changes to working arrangements can remain on a five-day working pattern."
Disruption Timeline
The strikes will take effect for 24 hours from 00:01 on both Tuesday and Thursday, potentially causing slightly less disruption than previous walkouts that ran from midday, affecting four days in April.
Business Reaction
Business groups warned that even the threat of strikes has already had a negative impact. Ed Richardson of BusinessLDN said: "For many businesses that rely on people visiting in person, the impact of these strikes will have already been felt through cancelled bookings and people changing their plans. We urge both sides to reach a sustainable agreement to put an end to the damaging uncertainty hanging over businesses and London's economy."
