London Underground passengers face more disruption next week as RMT union drivers stage two 24-hour strikes on Tuesday 2 June and Thursday 4 June. The walkouts come just days after a 35°C heatwave caused widespread transport issues across the capital.
Transport for London (TfL) expects no service on the Piccadilly and Circle lines, while the Metropolitan line will likely shut between Baker Street and Aldgate, and the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street. The Piccadilly line has the highest proportion of RMT members among drivers. Other lines may close early due to staffing shortages.
The Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground and National Rail services are not affected and will run as normal, as their drivers belong to different bargaining units. ASLEF, the other Tube drivers' union, has accepted TfL's four-day week proposal, so its members will work as usual.
The dispute centres on TfL's plan to introduce a voluntary four-day week for drivers. Drivers currently earn around £80,000 and work 36 hours over five days; TfL proposes 35 hours over four days. ASLEF has accepted this, calling it the biggest improvement in working conditions for decades. But the RMT has concerns about driver fatigue from longer shifts and instead proposed a 32-hour, four-day week, which TfL has ruled out as unaffordable.
TfL said it has not been in touch with the RMT since 15 May, when it wrote to the union about the voluntary introduction of the four-day week. The authority reiterated that drivers can choose not to opt in and continue with the current five-day week. TfL is monitoring a trial on the Bakerloo line before developing a network-wide agreement.
The RMT called off planned strikes in May after a breakthrough in talks, but the union has not provided an update on negotiations since. Both TfL and the RMT held a meeting on 26 May, and the union is having internal discussions about the process.
