BBC UK News4/20/2026Labor2 min readUnited Kingdom

London Tube Drivers Announce Six 24-Hour Strikes Over Four-Day Week Plan

RMT union rejects condensed working week proposal citing safety concerns, while Transport for London insists changes would be voluntary

rmt union transport for london london underground

Quick Look

London Underground drivers will stage six 24-hour strikes starting 21 April over plans for a voluntary four-day working week.
The RMT union opposes the proposal, saying longer shifts would cause driver fatigue and compromise safety.
TfL says the change would be voluntary with no reduction in contractual hours.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The dispute centers on Transport for London's proposal to offer drivers a voluntary four-day working week. Under the proposal, drivers would work 35 hours per week with paid meal breaks, effectively meaning longer daily shifts but fewer days worked. The RMT union rejected this, preferring a 32-hour week over four days. TfL says the change would be voluntary and would bring London Underground in line with other train operating companies.

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A series of six 24-hour strikes by drivers on the London Underground is due to take place, with the walkouts starting later this month. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union voted to oppose the introduction of a four-day working week with condensed hours.

The first strike is set to begin on Tuesday 21 April at 11:59 BST, when two Tube lines will close entirely. The union said it was concerned about shift lengths, unacceptable working time arrangements and the possible impact of fatigue on safety. Transport for London (TfL) described the strikes as "completely unnecessary" and said it was currently trialling a voluntary four-day week for drivers on the Bakerloo line.

When are the Tube strikes?

As it stands, members of the RMT union will strike on:

21–22 April (12:00 Tuesday - 11:59 Wednesday BST) 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) 16–17 June (12:00 Tuesday - 11:59 Wednesday) 18–19 June (12:00 Thursday - 11:59 Friday)

How much disruption is expected?

No service is expected on the Piccadilly and Circle lines, nor on the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate. Central line services will not run between White City and Liverpool Street. London Underground said there would be "significant" disruption on most Tube lines but the level experienced would not be as severe as the strikes in September.

Boarding the first Tube train may not be possible, according to TfL, with London Overground, the DLR, Elizabeth line, trams and buses expected to be busier. A separate bus strike is happening on 24 April, affecting routes 8, N8, 25, N25, 425, 205 and N205, which operate from Bow bus garage.

Only drivers belonging to the RMT union are due to walk out - that is roughly half of the total number of drivers on the network. Aslef's participation in last year's strike with the RMT affected nearly all services. Many Tube drivers are set to turn up to work as usual, including members of the Aslef train drivers' trade union - which accepted the proposals, labelling them "exactly the sort of deal every trade union should be trying to achieve".

What is the strike about?

The RMT has rejected an offer for drivers to voluntarily work a four-day week. Under the proposals, most drivers would see their working week reduced from 36 hours to 35 hours. Their contractual hours would remain the same because paid meal breaks would be introduced. This effectively means drivers would work longer days, but fewer days each week and fewer overall hours each week.

The arrangement is currently being trialled on the Bakerloo line on a voluntary basis to test its viability. The RMT said the working day would be too long under the plans, risking driver fatigue and compromising safety. The union instead wants a 32-hour week over four days, meaning drivers would work three fewer hours each week for the same salary.

TfL said drivers could remain on a five-day week if they wanted to, pointing out that the change was voluntary.

Could the strikes be called off?

RMT confirmed on Saturday that Underground drivers will strike next week. The union said talks had failed and accused TfL of refusing to make concessions. The union's general secretary, Eddie Dempsey, 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.

"This is extremely disappointing and has baffled our 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."

Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said the proposals allowed it 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."