The RMT union has advised members of other unions to use the London Underground on strike days, despite ongoing industrial action. In a social media exchange, the PCS Union's Whitehall branch asked whether its members should avoid the Tube to respect picket lines, but the RMT responded: 'Please travel as you can and if you see a picket line then give us a wave.'
An RMT spokesman later clarified: 'At no point has the union encouraged people to use the network to undermine industrial action. We understand strike action is disruptive and Londoners will travel as they can. But we encourage them to support our picket lines and our members taking strike action.'
The dispute centres on a proposed four-day week for Tube drivers, who earn around £74,000 a year. The RMT has rejected the reforms, branding them a 'fake' four-day week and raising concerns about driver fatigue, late notice of shifts, and the roll-out of work iPads. One union rep reportedly complained the iPads were 'too small to watch Netflix on', though it is unclear which union he belonged to.
Transport for London insists the four-day week will be voluntary. Meanwhile, the Aslef union, which represents just over half of Tube drivers, has firmly backed the reforms, calling them the 'biggest improvement in working conditions for Underground train drivers in decades'. Aslef highlighted benefits including 35 extra days off a year and reduced average rostered hours from 36 to 34 per week.
Londoners faced travel disruption on Thursday, the second day of strikes this week. However, six in ten drivers reported for work on Tuesday's walkout, up from 57% in April. Business leaders have warned the strikes are damaging the hospitality sector and other businesses reliant on public transport.
