Tube train drivers in the RMT union have called eight 24-hour strikes on London Underground in opposition to plans for a four-day week, with six of the walkouts falling in the run-up to Christmas.
The strikes run over 16 days and begin at noon on Thursday 26 November. Further action is set to start at noon on Thursday 17 December and again on Saturday 19 December, meaning there could be few tube trains over the last shopping weekend before Christmas.
Two more strikes are planned in early January, with further action in February.
The dispute centres on a proposed four-day week for drivers, which Transport for London (TfL) has said would be voluntary. The proposal has been welcomed by the majority of London Underground drivers, who are represented by the Aslef union.
The RMT claims the new four-day week would “undermine existing agreements and worsen working conditions”.
The union said it had yet to receive guarantees about drivers’ rights to remain on existing five-day working arrangements. It believes the proposals would worsen shift times and certainty.
The RMT’s general secretary, Eddie Dempsey, said: “London Underground is attempting to dress up a wholesale attack on drivers’ working conditions as a voluntary four-day week.
“Our members are being asked to spend more time driving trains, accept longer and more unpredictable shifts and surrender agreements that have been negotiated and defended over many years.
“This is not about improving work-life balance. It is about squeezing more work out of fewer drivers while giving management greater flexibility at the expense of our members.”
Similar strikes took place in London in April and June, despite TfL insisting the proposals were completely voluntary and the plans having been fully endorsed by Aslef, the main drivers’ union. Those strikes caused widespread disruption to London Underground services, although trains ran on most lines.
Business groups said the news was “deeply concerning”.
Karim Fatehi, the chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “The days immediately before Christmas are vital trading days for thousands of businesses across the capital, while hundreds of thousands of visitors come to London over the festive period.
“We urge the RMT to reconsider this action and recognise the damage these strikes will cause.”
Nick Dent, the director of customer operations for London Underground, said the organisation had engaged with unions for months to hone the proposals.
“Drivers can now choose to remain on a five-day week with a guarantee of remaining at the same depot,” he said.
“This will also mean less time at work for tube drivers, while delivering a more efficient, reliable tube service for our customers. Given that we have provided this new option after their feedback, we urge the RMT to put this proposal to their members.”
