London Tube Drivers Plan Strikes Over Proposed Four-Day Workweek

March 10, 2026
London Tube Drivers Plan Strikes Over Proposed Four-Day Workweek
  • A series of 24-hour strikes by the RMT union involving London Underground drivers is planned in protest of a proposed four-day condensed working week, with the first strike scheduled for March 24–25 and further actions through May.

  • The disputes center on shift lengths, working-time arrangements, transfer and allocation processes, fatigue, and safety, amid plans to compress the week despite a majority of Train Operators rejecting the idea in referendums.

  • Around 1,800 RMT driver members are involved in the dispute, roughly 40–50% of Tube drivers.

  • TfL warns the strikes will seriously affect businesses and commuters and urges the action be called off, stressing that changes are voluntary and do not reduce contractual hours.

  • Alternative travel options during disruptions include bus and National Rail services, with e-bike hire schemes noted as popular during disruptions.

  • TfL has not issued an official comment yet, but planning notes emphasize preparing for disruption and providing options to reach airports via non-striking services.

  • ASLEF drivers are not striking, and non-driver RMT members are not taking part, limiting immediate information on exact service impacts.

  • A TfL spokesperson defends the four-day week as aimed at improving reliability and flexible deployment, without added costs, and says it would be voluntary for Bakerloo line drivers initially.

  • Context is provided by a timeline of prior major London Tube strikes, highlighting recent industrial action history.

  • TfL maintains the four-day week would be voluntary, with no reduction in contractual hours and the option for drivers to remain on a five-day pattern if they prefer.

  • TfL describes the strikes as unnecessary and notes ongoing discussions to implement a voluntary four-day week for Bakerloo line drivers only, preserving contractual hours and five-day options.

  • Historical context shows the last Tube strike occurred in September over pay and conditions, causing major disruptions.

Summary based on 9 sources


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