Commuters in London are facing significant travel disruption this week as Tube drivers represented by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) stage two 24-hour strikes. The industrial action, which began at noon on Tuesday and will resume at noon on Thursday, is expected to cause chaos across the capital's transport network.
When are the Tube strikes this week?
The strikes are scheduled to take place from Tuesday to Friday, with walkouts occurring for 24 hours from midday on both Tuesday and Thursday. Transport for London (TfL) has outlined the expected impact on services each day:
- Tuesday: Normal services are expected until mid-morning. Services will then begin to reduce, and passengers should expect disruption for the remainder of the day, with services finishing earlier than normal.
- Wednesday: Ongoing disruption is expected in the morning, with services starting later than normal. Services are expected to increase from midday, but disruption to Tube journeys is anticipated throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
- Thursday: Normal services are expected until mid-morning. Services will then begin to reduce, and passengers should expect disruption for the remainder of the day, with services finishing earlier than normal.
- Friday: Ongoing disruption is expected in the morning, with services starting later than normal. Services are expected to increase from midday, but disruption to Tube journeys is anticipated throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
Which Tube lines are impacted by strikes?
TfL has warned that while service is expected on most Tube lines, passengers are likely to experience disruption on all lines. No service is expected on the Circle and Piccadilly lines, as well as the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate and the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street. Other TfL services, including the Elizabeth line and London Overground, are expected to run but will be busier than usual. Passengers are advised to check before travelling using the TfL Go app or website for real-time updates.
Why is the RMT union going on strike?
The industrial action is related to a dispute over plans to introduce a voluntary four-day working week, which would condense Tube drivers' weekly hours. The RMT has called the plan "fake" and raised "serious concerns from our members about shift length and resulting fatigue impacting safety." RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said union members had "approached negotiations with TfL in good faith" but "TfL seem unwilling to make any concessions." A spokesperson for the RMT added: "Despite promises of talks, TfL has not made any attempt to engage in negotiation meetings to resolve this dispute. London Underground is still pushing implementation plans through a forum that excludes senior managers and union officials, instead of engaging in proper negotiations. Our strike action remains on as we continue to seek a negotiated settlement."
TfL says strikes 'unnecessary'
TfL has described the proposed changes to the working week as voluntary and criticised the walkouts as "completely unnecessary." Claire Mann, chief operating officer at TfL, said: "It is disappointing that the RMT is planning this strike action despite our best efforts to resolve this dispute. We have been clear that our proposals for a four-day week are designed to improve work-life balance and are entirely voluntary. Any Tube driver who doesn't wish to opt in to the new, four-day working pattern and associated changes to working arrangements can remain on a five-day working pattern. We have also said many times in discussions that we believe the majority of the issues that have been raised would be resolved with more detailed work. A significant number of drivers have indicated that they want us to progress plans for the pilot of this new working pattern on the Bakerloo line, and it would deliver benefits both for our colleagues and our customers. We urge the RMT to work with us so we can resolve this dispute. In the meantime, we are asking customers to check before they travel and allow plenty of extra time for their journeys."
The RMT has further strike action planned next month, with walkouts scheduled for 24 hours from midday on June 16 and 18.
