Another wave of Tube strikes has been announced by the RMT union in the run-up to Christmas. This is a continuation of the same issues that led to drivers striking earlier this year.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union are set to walk out between Thursday, November 26 and continue until Thursday, February 25. Strikes were called after RMT claimed that Transport for London is trying to worsen conditions for drivers in its attempt to introduce a four-day working week.
TfL, however, claims that the four-day working week proposal remains the same and that drivers who opt for a new five-day working week will accept the same new terms and conditions as those who opt for a four-day working week.
Here’s everything you need to know about why the strikes have been announced.
TfL’s proposal
TfL is proposing a change to drivers’ schedules, allowing them to opt for a new five-day working week. TfL have said the decision on a new working week lies with drivers, and whichever they choose, they will accept the same new terms and conditions as those who opt for a four-day working week.
Nick Dent, Director of Customer Operations for London Underground, said: “We have engaged with our trade unions for months about our proposal for a new four-day working week. As a result of that engagement, drivers can now choose to remain on a five-day week with a guarantee of remaining at the same depot. This will give our colleagues a real, meaningful choice on their working pattern without having to change where they work.
“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.”
Why are drivers striking?
The RMT, instead, is pushing for the same four-day week spread over 32 hours. The RMT said it has yet to receive guarantees about drivers’ right to remain on existing five-day working arrangements. It believes the proposals would worsen shift times and lead to driver fatigue.
The union claims drivers face increased time spent driving trains, longer duties, earlier starts and later finishes, short-notice changes to shifts and attacks on existing transfer rights and annual leave arrangements.
RMT 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. But there is nothing voluntary about a scheme that forces drivers to give up existing protections whether they work four days or five, and threatens those who refuse with displacement from their depots.
“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.
“RMT is not opposed to a genuine four-day working week that benefits our members, but we will not accept it being used as a vehicle for job cuts, intensified working and the erosion of terms and conditions. Our members are determined to defend their jobs, working conditions and the safety of the Underground, and they have our union’s full support in taking strike action.”
TfL, however, has stated that when checked using industry-standard fatigue tools, the new working patterns will not ‘increase fatigue’ among drivers.
ASLEF, the other union which represents Tube drivers, has already accepted TfL’s four-day week proposal so its members will turn up for work
How likely are the Tube strikes to go ahead?
London is no stranger to Tube strikes, as this series of strikes is a continuation of the strikes earlier in the year. In May this year, Tube strikes were called off at the eleventh hour. However, in June, the strikes went ahead, showing how nothing is ever certain.
When are the strikes set to take place?
The 24-hour strikes will begin at noon on the following dates:
- Thursday 26 November 2026
- Thursday 17 December 2026
- Saturday 19 December 2026
- Monday 4 January 2027
- Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Wednesday 17 February 2027
- Tuesday 23 February 2027
- Thursday 25 February 2027
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