RMT Announces Six Days of London Underground Strikes
London’s transport network is set for major disruption after the RMT union announced six days of Tube strikes, scheduled to take place across March, April and May.
The industrial action will involve London Underground train drivers who are members of the RMT, with walkouts planned for two days in March, two days in April and two days in May. Each strike will last 24 hours, beginning at midday and affecting both the evening rush hour and the following morning’s commute.
First Strike Set for March 24
The first strike is expected to begin at midday on Tuesday, March 24, and could create significant travel problems across the capital.
The timing is particularly sensitive because more than 30,000 supporters are expected at the Emirates Stadium that evening for the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final first leg between Arsenal Women and Chelsea Women.
The strike also coincides with the People’s Question Time event, hosted by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and the London Assembly in Greenwich, potentially adding further pressure to the transport network.
Dispute Over Proposed Four-Day Working Week
The industrial action has been called in response to Transport for London’s (TfL) proposal to introduce a voluntary four-day working week for Tube drivers.
Under the proposal, drivers could choose to work four days a week with longer daily shifts, while those who prefer the current five-day schedule would still be able to keep it.
TfL says the plan would help improve operational flexibility, reliability and efficiency, without increasing overall costs.
However, the RMT union has strongly opposed the plan, arguing that the “compressed hours” model could increase fatigue among drivers and potentially impact safety and work-life balance.
Divisions Between Unions
While the RMT has called for strike action, another rail union, Aslef, has backed the proposed changes.
Finn Brennan, Aslef’s London regional organiser, described the plan as “the biggest improvement in working conditions for Underground train drivers in decades.”
He also pointed out that it is unusual for workers to strike against a proposal that would reduce the number of working days.
Possible Disruption but Not Full Shutdown
The staggered strike schedule has been designed to maximise disruption for passengers and increase pressure on TfL, although a complete shutdown of the Underground network is unlikely.
Members of the Aslef union are expected to continue working, meaning some services may still operate during the strike days.
Other transport services run by TfL, including the Elizabeth Line, London Overground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR), are expected to continue operating as normal.
TfL estimates that Tube strikes typically result in around £5 million in lost fare revenue per day.
Drivers’ Pay and Working Conditions
There are approximately 3,600 train drivers working across the London Underground network.
Drivers currently earn around £75,000 per year and are contracted to work a 35-hour week over five days. In practice, many drivers work closer to 38.5 hours per week, including unpaid meal breaks.
Under the proposed four-day schedule, drivers would work 8 hours and 30 minutes per shift, which is 48 minutes longer than the current daily shift. However, the new arrangement would include a paid 30-minute meal break for the first time.
Strong Support for Strike Action
The RMT announced the strikes after its members voted heavily in favour of industrial action.
In the ballot, 1,082 RMT Tube drivers supported strike action, while 101 voted against, meaning 91% of those who voted backed the walkout. Out of 1,801 eligible members, around 60% supported the strikes overall.
By comparison, Aslef members voted in favour of the four-day week proposal, with 1,107 of 1,585 participants (nearly 70%) supporting the change.
TfL Urges Union to Call Off Strikes
Transport for London has criticised the planned strikes, describing them as “completely unnecessary.”
A TfL spokesperson said the organisation had been discussing the four-day working week with unions for months and was initially considering introducing the system on the Bakerloo line only.
The spokesperson added that the proposal would be entirely voluntary, would not reduce contractual hours, and would allow drivers who prefer the current schedule to continue working five days a week.
TfL warned that the strikes could seriously impact commuters and businesses across London, and urged the RMT union to reconsider its decision.
