By Basant El-Faramawy
London Underground drivers will stage a series of 24-hour strikes beginning on November 26 and continuing into the new year, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has announced. The walkouts are part of a long-running dispute over new working arrangements that the union says are being imposed on drivers.
Strike Dates Announced
The 24-hour strikes will start at noon on November 26, followed by further action on December 17 and 19, January 4 and 6, and February 17, 23 and 25. The RMT says the planned changes include a four-day week that would increase driving time, lengthen duties, and require earlier starts and later finishes.
Union Claims Forced Changes
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said London Underground is attempting to dress up a wholesale attack on drivers' working conditions as a voluntary four-day week. He argued there is nothing voluntary about a scheme that forces drivers to give up existing protections and threatens those who refuse with displacement from their depots.
Aslef Opposes Strike Action
Finn Brennan, Aslef's full-time organiser on London Underground, said the union was surprised by the RMT's decision to strike against a voluntary four-day week that offers drivers an extra 35 days off per year. He noted that management has agreed anyone who wants to keep a five-day week can do so without detriment, and called the strike a strange choice to stop people having the choice of a shorter working week.
Business Group Warns of Economic Impact
Ed Richardson, transport programme director at BusinessLDN, said the strikes will not bring festive cheer to Londoners and visitors who rely on the Tube. He warned the action will hit the hospitality sector particularly hard during the vital Christmas trading season and urged both sides to reach an agreement urgently.
