London Underground drivers will begin strike action this week, meaning significant travel disruption for commuters and visitors to the capital.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has confirmed its members will walk out for 24 hours from midday on Tuesday 21 April, and again on Thursday 23 April.
This means the first strike will last from Tuesday into Wednesday, and then the second from Thursday into Friday.
There are additional strikes planned for May and June.
The RMT has accused Transport for London (TfL) of attempting to impose a new four-day working week with general secretary Eddie Dempsey expressing frustration over the stalled negotiations.
He said: “We have approached negotiations with TfL in good faith throughout this entire process, but despite our best efforts, TfL seem unwilling to make any concessions in a bid to avert strike action.”
Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, said the proposals for a four-day working week allow the company to “offer train operators an additional day off, whilst at the same time bringing London Underground in line with the working patterns of other train operating companies, improving reliability and flexibility at no additional cost”.
She added: “The changes would be voluntary, there would be no reduction in contractual hours and those who wish to continue a five-day working week pattern would be able to do so.”
TfL has set out what travellers can expect during strike days, with certain lines more affected than others. Here’s what you need to know:
What dates are the Tube strikes?
April
- Tuesday 21 to Wednesday 22 April
- Thursday 23 to Friday 24 April
May
- Tuesday 19 to Wednesday 20 May
- Thursday 21 to Friday 22 May
June
- Tuesday 16 June to Wednesday 17 June
- Thursday 18 June to Friday 19 June
Will the Tube be affected all day?
The planned strike action will take significant parts of the network out of action for half of two consecutive days, lasting from midday to midday.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, travellers can expect normal service until mid-morning, when services will begin to ramp down. There will be significant disruption on all lines from midday, and lines that do run will finish early. TfL recommends completing journeys by 8pm.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, Tube services that do run will begin later, with no service expected before 7.30am. There will be significant disruption until midday, when normal service will begin to resume, but with delays very likely.
Will all lines be affected?
TfL says strikes will affect the whole Tube network, but a reduced service will still run on most lines with significant disruption.
However, there will be no service on the:
- Piccadilly and Circle lines
- Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate
- Central line between White City and Liverpool Street
Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and tram services will be running normally on strike days, but are likely to be very busy.
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