London Tube strike latest as RMT slams TfL for breaking ‘promises’ over talks

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has slammed Transport for London (TfL) for allegedly “breaking promises” over talks to prevent another Tube strike next week. A union spokesperson claims TfL “has not made any attempt to engage in negotiations” despite making prior commitments.

Both parties remain in a stand-off less than one week away from Tube driver walkouts taking place between Tuesday, May 19 and Friday, May 22. TfL is pushing to introduce a voluntary four-day working week for London Underground drivers.

They are currently paid about £80k per year to work 36 hours a week spread across five days, but transport bosses are pushing for a new opt-in working pattern where drivers can instead work 35 hours across four days. This deal has been accepted by rival union ASLEF, but the RMT has rejected it and claimed the compressed four-day week could impact driver fatigue and passenger safety.

The union instead wants TfL to accept a 32-hour working week spread across four days for the same salary, and also wants to address specific concerns surrounding shift patterns and transfers between depots included in TfL’s contract offer.

TfL’s chief operating officer said a reduction to working hours of this scale would be “unaffordable”, costing in the tens of millions. Yesterday (Tuesday, May 12) the authority said it continues to hold its scheduled weekly meetings with the RMT and ASLEF but specific talks with the former union about ending the strike have not been held.

The RMT has confirmed this, but also claimed this goes against a promise TfL made to hold talks. “London Underground is still pushing implementation plans through a forum that excludes senior managers and union officials, instead of engaging in proper negotiations,” a spokesperson added. “Our strike action remains on as we continue to seek a negotiated settlement.”

Full breakdown of disruption caused by Tube strikes

Tuesday May 19 and Thursday May 21

• Morning – normal services expected until mid-morning
• Mid-morning – some disruption to journeys as services start to reduce ahead of strike action starting
• After midday – disruption to journeys expected on all lines and Tube services that do run will finish early.

Wednesday May 20 and Friday May 22

• Morning – disruption to journeys expected on all lines. Tube services that do run will start later than normal
• After midday – continued disruption to journeys throughout the afternoon and evening as services return to normal
• Evening – normal service.

A similar round of RMT strikes are also due to take place between Tuesday June 16 and Friday June 19 unless a deal is reached with TfL.

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