LONDON commuters are in the midst of 12 days of industrial action with Underground drivers on strike.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union confirmed members are planning to walk out on .
Tube drivers have gone on strike Credit: Alamy
Commuters will face chaos on dates in April, May and June Credit: Getty
The strikes have been organised over the introduction of a compressed four-day working week for drivers, according to .
Industrial action had been , but it was suspended after progress was made in talks with (TfL).
Tube drivers are currently contracted to work a 35-hour week over five days.
However, most work around 38.5 hours when unpaid meal breaks and additional time are taken into consideration – the equivalent of a daily shift lasting seven hours and 42 minutes.
Under the proposed four-day week, shifts would increase slightly to eight hours and 30 minutes a day, but breaks would be paid for the first time.
Underground drivers who prefer to remain on the five-day week schedule would also be free to do so.
Union representatives have been trying to resolve the situation for a number of months.
RMT accused TfL bosses of “reneging on promises to negotiate in good faith”, making strike action “inevitable”.
Eddie Dempsey, the union’s general secretary, 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.”
TfL’s chief operating officer, Claire Mann, said: “We have set out proposals to the RMT for a four-day working week.
“This allows us 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.
“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.”
When does the Tube strike start today?
The strikes run over a 24-hour period from midday to midday the following day.
Industrial action ends at 11.59am today – Wednesday, April 22.
However, disruption is expected to continue into the afternoon and evening on Wednesday.
What is the full list of Tube strike dates?
The strikes are set to go ahead on 12 separate days spread over April, May and June.
The affected dates are as follows:
- 21–22 April (12pm Tuesday to 11.59am Wednesday) – currently underway
- 23–24 April (12pm Thursday to 11.59am Friday)
- 19–20 May (12pm Tuesday to 11.59am Wednesday)
- 21–22 May (12pm Thursday to 11.59am Friday)
- 16-17 June (12pm Tuesday to 11.59am Wednesday)
- 18-19 June (12pm Thursday to 11.59am Friday)
Will other TfL lines be running during the strike?
While reduced services will be running, the strikes are expected to disrupt the whole Tube network.
The and are not expected to be directly impacted by the strikes, but both will be busier than usual.
When the Underground is down or running a reduced service, buses and usually offer alternative routes across London.
E-bike hire schemes proved very popular during previous strikes.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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