London Tube strikes live: Major walkout to go ahead after last-ditch talks fail to resolve dispute

An RMT spokesperson said: “Despite our best efforts in Acas talks, TfL have failed to provide assurances on our members’ deeply held concerns around fatigue, reduced flexibility, shift lengths and the impact these proposals could have in a safety-critical role like Tube driving.

“We remain available for meaningful talks, but strike action tomorrow will now go ahead.”

The strikes are in response to issues including a new four-day week which the union says its members oppose.

As part of a trial ongoing on the Bakerloo line, drivers can voluntarily work a four-day week where their working week is reduced from 36 hours to 35 hours.

Their contractual hours would remain the same because paid meal breaks would be introduced. Drivers would work longer days , but fewer days each week and fewer overall hours each week.

The drivers’ union Aslef has accepted the new arrangements.

The RMT union has said this working day would be too long, risking driver fatigue and compromising safety.

Instead, they have proposed a 32-hour week over four days, meaning drivers would work three fewer hours each week for the same salary.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has maintained that there are serious concerns around proposals of a new four-day week, despite the drivers’ union Aslef accepting the new arrangements.

An RMT spokesperson said: “Our members have raised serious concerns around fatigue, longer shifts, reduced flexibility and the impact these proposals could have in a safety-critical role.”

A union source said Tube drivers had “very real” concerns about spending longer hours in the driver cab, becoming more fatigued, losing flexibility around their shifts and the impact that could have on a role where safety has to come first.”

Strikes by Tube drivers will go ahead after talks failed to resolve a dispute over the working week, London Underground has said.

Talks will be held on Monday in a last-ditch bid to avert two 24-hour strikes by London Underground drivers in a dispute over the working week.

Bosses from the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will meet with Transport for London (TfL) chiefs with conciliation service Acas involved.

TfL says the strikes will affect the whole Tube network, but a reduced service will still run on most lines with significant disruption.

There will be no service on:

• Piccadilly and Circle lines
• Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate
• Central line between White City and Liverpool Street

Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and tram services will be running normally on strike days, but are likely to be very busy.

Tube strikes will take place on Tuesday 2 June, 0.01am to 11:59pm and on Thursday 4 June, 0.01am to 11:59pm.

On the Tuesday and Thursday, travellers can expect virtually no service before 6.30am, or after 9pm. There will be significant disruption in the morning, afternoon and evening.