Tube strike bombshell for London as RMT announces EIGHT 24-hour walkouts

The walkouts will take place on eight separate days between Thursday, November 26 and Thursday, February 25.

The RMT and Transport for London have been in talks for months over a four-day week for Tube drivers after several walkouts earlier this year.

TfL presented the union with the final proposals a few weeks ago and they have failed to break the deadlock over the changes which have been fully backed by the Aslef train drivers’ union.

The 24-hour strikes will begin at noon on the following dates:

• Thursday 26 November 2026
• Thursday 17 December 2026
• Saturday 19 December 2026
• Monday 4 January 2027
• Wednesday 6 January 2027
• Wednesday 17 February 2027
• Tuesday 23 February 2027
• Thursday 25 February 2027

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.

“But 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.

“Our members are being asked to spend more time driving trains, accept longer and more unpredictable shifts and surrender agreements that have been negotiated and defended over many years.”

He added; “This is not about improving work-life balance. It is about squeezing more work out of fewer drivers while giving management greater flexibility at the expense of our members.

“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.

“London Underground must withdraw these damaging proposals and engage seriously with the union to reach a negotiated settlement.

“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.”

However, the RMT’s position has been severely undermined by Aslef hailing the reforms as offering Tube drivers the best working conditions on the rail network.

TfL has stressed that the four-day week, for drivers who earn on average more than £70,000, is voluntary and no-one has to accept it.