London Underground Drivers to Strike Twice This Week

London Underground drivers will walk out for 24 hours starting at midday on Tuesday, with a second 24-hour stoppage beginning at noon on Thursday. An RMT spokesman said TfL has not made any attempt to engage in negotiation meetings to resolve the dispute. The union accused London Underground of pushing implementation plans through a forum that excludes senior managers and union officials.

TfL said the industrial action is disappointing and noted that drivers can choose to remain on their existing five-day schedule. No service will operate on the Circle and Piccadilly lines during the strikes because these routes have a higher proportion of RMT members among their drivers.

Sections of the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate and the Central line stretch from White City to Liverpool Street will also be shut. Other Underground lines will continue operating but with significant disruption. Services will wind down from mid-morning on strike days, with widespread delays from noon onward.

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The dispute stems from TfL's proposal to compress the current 36-hour working week from five days into four, reducing total hours to 35 while eliminating one paid lunch break. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey has argued that extended shifts could cause driver fatigue and endanger passengers.

The union is instead demanding a 32-hour week spread across four days. The rival Aslef union has accepted TfL's offer, with a spokesperson describing it as exactly the sort of deal every trade union should be trying to achieve. The Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, buses and trams will run normally throughout the strikes and are expected to be considerably busier as commuters seek alternatives.

Two further rounds of strikes are already scheduled for June 16-17 and June 18-19 if no agreement is reached.