Tube train drivers in the RMT union have called eight 24-hour strikes running over 16 days – including six in the lead-up to Christmas – that threaten to bring transport chaos to the capital.
The drivers will start another series of 24-hour strikes in late November in opposition to plans for a four-day week, a proposal that has been warmly welcomed by the majority of London Underground drivers represented by the Aslef union.
Disruption could mean few tube trains over the last shopping weekend before Christmas, with strikes running from noon on Thursday 17 December and again on Saturday 19 December.
The 24-hour strikes will begin at noon on 26 November, followed by the Christmas industrial action, with two more strikes planned in early January and more in February.
The RMT claims the new four-day week, which Transport for London (TfL) has said would be voluntary, would “undermine existing agreements and worsen working conditions”.
Strikes earlier this year resulted in widespread disruption to London Underground services, although trains ran on most lines.
The RMT 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.”
after newsletter promotion
Similar, highly disruptive 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 the main drivers union, Aslef.
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 it 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.”
