The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union claims Transport for London has “shifted its position”
London Underground strikes have been called off at the last minute due to a breakthrough in talks. The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has confirmed drivers will no longer take part in a walkout between Tuesday, May 19 and Friday, May 22.
A spokesperson said: “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.”
Industrial action on 16 and 18 June has been cancelled but fresh strikes have been called for 2 and 4 June.
Tube drivers part of the RMT union were due to strike over Transport for London plans to implement a voluntary four-day week spread across 35 hours. They currently work 36 hours across five days, but RMT bosses say the new working pattern would create driver fatigue and put passenger safety at risk. TfL’s have reiterated their position that this has always been a voluntary arrangement.
Nick Dent, director of customer operations for London Underground, said: “We are pleased that RMT has withdrawn its planned industrial action this week.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.”
Strike schedule 2026 – full list
- March 24–25 (cancelled)
- March 26–27 (cancelled)
- April 21–22
- April 23–24
- May 19–20 (cancelled)
- May 21–22 (cancelled)
- June 16-17
- June 18-19
Ed Richardson, programme director for transport at BusinessLDN, said: “Businesses and Londoners will welcome the decision to call off these Tube strikes at the eleventh hour.
“But many firms will already have lost out through cancelled bookings and reservations so it’s now vital that both sides come to a longer-term resolution.
“With London heading into a busy summer, avoiding further strikes will be vital to help keep the capital’s economy moving forward.”
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