Commuters across London are facing fresh travel disruption after the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers confirmed that planned London Underground strikes will go ahead next week.
The industrial action will involve two separate 24-hour walkouts by Tube drivers on Tuesday 2 June and Thursday 4 June, following an ongoing dispute with Transport for London over proposals for a compressed four-day working week.
According to the RMT union, the strikes are proceeding because TfL has failed to properly address concerns raised by drivers regarding fatigue, longer shifts and workplace safety.
The union said members were worried that the proposed working arrangements could increase pressure on staff in what it described as a safety-critical role.
The dispute centres on plans to introduce a voluntary four-day working week trial on the Bakerloo line. TfL argues the proposal could improve flexibility and working conditions for drivers while benefiting passengers through more efficient scheduling.
However, the RMT has continued to oppose the plans despite support from Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, which represents a slight majority of London Underground drivers.
TfL has warned passengers to expect disruption across parts of the Tube network during the strike days, although services on most Underground lines are still expected to operate.
Other transport services, including the Elizabeth line, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway and London trams, are expected to run normally but may experience significantly higher passenger numbers.
Claire Mann, chief operating officer at TfL, said the organisation remained disappointed that strike action was continuing despite ongoing discussions.
She stated that TfL still believed an agreement could be reached through further negotiations and urged the RMT to continue talks in order to avoid disruption across the capital.
The latest strike announcement follows several months of tensions between the union and TfL over the proposed working arrangements.
Earlier industrial action linked to the same dispute took place in April, while a separate strike planned for mid-May was suspended at the last moment after negotiations appeared to make progress.
Despite that temporary breakthrough, the RMT later brought forward additional strike dates from mid-June to early June, signalling that the dispute remained unresolved.
The union has said it is still open to meaningful discussions but warned against implementing changes to drivers’ working conditions without fully addressing safety and workplace concerns.
The dispute has also divided opinion within the transport sector, with some questioning the continued opposition given that the proposed four-day week would remain voluntary and has been backed by Aslef.
Passengers travelling across London next week are being advised to check service updates in advance and prepare for delays, overcrowding and altered travel plans during the strike action.