New strike dates have been announced for Tuesday, June 2 and Thursday, June 4
Transport for London (TfL) bosses claim they have not changed their position on a four-day working week after Tube strikes were suspended “at the eleventh hour”. The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) announced on Monday, May 18, that the walkout due to disrupt London Underground services for the remainder of this week will no longer go ahead because TfL is willing to ‘compromise on rosters, fatigue and safety issues’.
TfL said it has not been in touch with the RMT since Friday, May 15, when a representative wrote to the union about the voluntary introduction of a four-day week. The transport authority reiterated that Tube drivers can choose not to opt in to the new pattern and can continue working the current five-day week across 36 hours.
TfL added that staff are monitoring the success of the four-day week trial currently being held on the Bakerloo line before developing an agreement for drivers across the Tube network, and called for the RMT to call off the strike as it could hinder ongoing discussions.
The RMT declined to comment any further when approached by MyLondon. A union spokesperson said earlier today: “At the 11th hour the employer has shifted its position allowing us to further explore our members concerns around the imposition of new rosters, fatigue and safety issues.
“The dispute is not over and more strike action will follow if we fail to make sufficient progress.”
Both 24-hour strikes due to begin on Tuesday, June 16 and Thursday, June 18 have also been called off, although the RMT has scheduled new strike dates for Tuesday, June 2 and Thursday, June 4.
Nick Dent, Director of Customer Operations for London Underground, said: “We are pleased that RMT has withdrawn its planned industrial action this week. This is good news for London.
“Our proposal for a voluntary four-day week is designed to improve both work-life balance for drivers and the reliability of service for customers. We look forward to further discussions on the implementation of these proposals with all of our trade unions.”
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