London Underground drivers will stage a series of 24-hour strikes in the next few months in a dispute over working hours, the RMT union announced.
Members of the union will walk out at midday on 24 and 26 March, 21 and 23 April, as well as 19 and 21 May.
The RMT said its members are taking action because transport bosses are pushing ahead with a plan to compress a normal working week into four days, despite the proposals being rejected by a majority of train operators in a referendum.
The union said its members have concerns about shift lengths, working time arrangements, transfer and allocation processes, and the potential impact on fatigue and safety.
In response, Transport for London (TfL) said the proposed four-day working week would be for train drivers on the Bakerloo line only, adding that the changes to working patterns would be voluntary. It called on the union to cancel proposed strike action.
The strike dates are as follows:
- 24–25 March (12:00pm Tuesday to 11:59am Wednesday)
- 26–27 March (12:00pm Thursday to 11:59am Friday)
- 21–22 April (12:00pm Tuesday to 11:59am Wednesday)
- 23–24 April (12:00pm Thursday to 11:59am Friday)
- 19–20 May (12:00pm Tuesday to 11:59am Wednesday)
- 21–22 May (12:00pm Thursday to 11:59am Friday)
Eddie Dempsey, RMT general secretary, said: “London Underground is trying to force through major changes to working patterns that have already been rejected by our members.
“We are clear that these proposals raise serious concerns around fatigue, safety and work-life balance.
“Despite our best efforts over many months, no satisfactory outcome has been reached so we have no choice but to call strike dates.
“There is still time for London Underground to come up with a workable solution but we will take strike action if we cannot get a negotiated settlement.”
A TfL spokesperson said: “We shared our proposal for a four-day working week with our trade unions last year. Since then, we have been engaging with them on how best to implement the new working pattern. We have started talking with our unions about how to implement a four-day working week for train drivers on the Bakerloo line only.
“These threatened strikes are completely unnecessary and will have a serious impact on London’s businesses and commuters and we urge them to call off this action. The changes would be voluntary, there will be no reduction in contractual hours and those who wish to continue a five-day working week pattern will be able to do so.
“These changes will help us to improve reliability, improve our ability to flexibly deploy our drivers and enable us to offer a modern and efficient service while creating no additional cost.”
