London Tube strike dates announced by union

Tube drivers who are members of the RMT union will begin a series of 24-hour strikes later this month to oppose the introduction of a "condensed" four-day week.

The first is due to be on 24-25 March with several more in the weeks after.

Eddie Dempsey, RMT general secretary, said: "London Underground is trying to force through major changes to working patterns that have already been rejected by our members".

Transport for London (TfL) described the strikes as "completely unnecessary" and said it has been engaging with the union on how to implement the voluntary four-day week for drivers only on the Bakerloo line.

The strike dates are as follows:

• 24–25 March (12:00 Tuesday - 11:59 Wednesday)
• 26–27 March (12:00 Thursday - 11:59 Friday)
• 21–22 April (12:00 Tuesday - 11:59 Wednesday)
• 23–24 April (12:00 Thursday - 11:59 Friday)
• 19–20 May (12:00 Tuesday - 11:59 Wednesday)
• 21–22 May (12:00 Thursday - 11:59 Friday)

RMT members voted in favour of the industrial action last month.

The union said London Underground bosses were "pushing ahead with a plan to compress a normal working week into four days despite the proposals being rejected by a majority of train operators".

Union members have concerns about shift lengths, unacceptable working time arrangements and the possible impact of fatigue on safety.

A TfL spokesperson said: "We shared our proposal for a four-day working week with our trade unions last year. Since then, we have been engaging with them on how best to implement the new working pattern.

"We have started talking with our unions about how to implement a four-day working week for train drivers on the Bakerloo line only."

They said the planned strikes will have a "serious impact" on businesses and commuters and urged that they be called off.

The transport body said the changes would be voluntary and see no reduction in contractual hours, and drivers can keep the current five-day week if they choose.

"These changes will help us to improve reliability, improve our ability to flexibly deploy our drivers and enable us to offer a modern and efficient service while creating no additional cost," the spokesperson added.

London Underground drivers last went on strike in September in a dispute over pay and conditions.

The industrial action caused severe disruption across the capital's transport network.

Dempsey said: "Despite our best efforts over many months, no satisfactory outcome has been reached so we have no choice but to call strike dates.

"There is still time for London Underground to come up with a workable solution but we will take strike action if we cannot get a negotiated settlement."

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