Heraldo de Madrid - RMT Announces London Underground Strikes from November to February

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has announced a fresh series of London Underground strikes that will extend from late November through the end of February. The industrial action marks a continuation of disputes regarding working conditions for Tube drivers, with the union citing concerns over Transport for London’s (TfL) proposal to implement a four-day working week.

The walkouts are scheduled to begin on Thursday, November 26, and continue intermittently until Thursday, February 25. The RMT claims that TfL is attempting to deteriorate conditions for drivers under the guise of introducing a voluntary four-day schedule. Conversely, TfL maintains that the proposal offers drivers a choice between a four-day week or retaining their current five-day arrangement, with both options subject to identical new terms and conditions.

Nick Dent, Director of Customer Operations for London Underground, stated that the organization has engaged with trade unions for months regarding the new working patterns. He emphasized that drivers who opt to remain on a five-day week will be guaranteed to stay at their current depot, providing what he described as a "real, meaningful choice" regarding their working pattern without requiring a change in workplace location.

"This will also mean less time at work for Tube drivers, while delivering a more efficient, reliable Tube service for our customers," Dent said. "Given that we have provided this new option after their feedback, we urge the RMT to put this proposal to their members."

Despite TfL’s assurances, the RMT argues that the proposed changes would effectively worsen shift times and contribute to driver fatigue. The union asserts that it has not received adequate guarantees regarding drivers' rights to maintain existing five-day working arrangements. According to the RMT, the new proposals would force drivers to spend more time operating trains, accept longer and less predictable shifts, and endure earlier starts and later finishes.

The union also highlighted concerns regarding short-notice changes to shifts and alleged attacks on existing transfer rights and annual leave arrangements. Eddie Dempsey, the RMT’s general secretary, characterized TfL’s proposal as a "wholesale attack on drivers' working conditions" disguised as a voluntary scheme.

"There is nothing voluntary about a scheme that forces drivers to give up existing protections whether they work four days or five, and threatens those who refuse with displacement from their depots," Dempsey said. He added that the union would not accept the four-day week being used as a mechanism for job cuts or the erosion of negotiated terms and conditions.

"RMT is not opposed to a genuine four-day working week that benefits our members, but we will not accept it being used as a vehicle for job cuts, intensified working and the erosion of terms and conditions," Dempsey stated. "Our members are determined to defend their jobs, working conditions and the safety of the Underground, and they have our union's full support in taking strike action."

TfL has disputed the union’s fatigue claims, stating that industry-standard fatigue tools indicate the new working patterns will not increase driver exhaustion. Meanwhile, ASLEF, another union representing Tube drivers, has already accepted TfL’s four-day week proposal, meaning its members are expected to work during the strike period.

The upcoming strikes follow a series of industrial actions earlier in the year. While 24-hour strikes called in May were canceled at the last minute, strikes proceeded in June, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the dispute. The RMT has indicated that specific dates for the 24-hour walkouts will be announced as they approach.

D.Ferrer--HdM