TUBE DRIVERS TAKE STRIKE ACTION

6 RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: may/june 2026 :: RMTnews R MT has slammed Transport for London for reneging on promises to negotiate in good faith on a ‘fake’ four-day week, which left tube drivers no choice but to take two days of strike action. During negotiations over the imposition, TfL had offered to negotiate on all elements of the proposals. However, TfL imposed proposals to condense the working week into four days against the expressed wishes of most drivers in two separate referendums across LU. RMT driver members’ objection to the imposed “fake four-day week” is that it amounts to five days’ work compressed into four. This included reduced flexibility over shift patterns, with the potential for only 24 hour notice of what shift duties, serious concerns about shift length and fatigue impacting safety in a safety- critical role like tube driving, and the fact that Transport for London has made no new offer despite months of negotiation. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that the union had approached negotiations with TfL in good faith throughout the entire process. “Despite our best efforts, TfL seem unwilling to make any concessions in a bid to avert strike action. “RMT had sought assurances from TfL in writing that members could stay on their current shift patterns and agreed terms and conditions. “Yet failed to respond adequately which meant that it was not a voluntary scheme and TfL were seeking to impose it on our members. “This is extremely disappointing and has baffled RMT negotiators. “The approach of TfL is not one which leads to industrial peace and will infuriate our members who want to see a negotiated settlement to this avoidable dispute.” RMT London Transport regional organiser Jared Wood also told the media that there were no assurances that these arrangements would genuinely be voluntary. “We have asked TfL a number of direct questions such as does this mean that drivers can continue working under their current arrangements? Can new drivers in the future can opt for those same arrangements? Does it allow a simple choice between four or five days? “The answer to each of those questions has been, “we can’t tell you” and London Underground stated that the only way to find out is to help them implement the changes first, and only then will they clarify what they mean by ‘voluntary’ which is not acceptable,” he said. TUBE DRIVERS TAKE STRIKE ACTION