Tube drivers to strike over Christmas period in long-running dispute

London Underground drivers are to stage a series of 24-hour strikes in a long-running dispute over working arrangements.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said walkouts will start on November 26 and continue into the new year.

The union said new working arrangements are being imposed including a four-day week.

The RMT says that under the plans, drivers face increased time spent driving trains, longer duties, earlier starts and later finishes.

The 24-hour strikes will begin at noon on November 26, December 17 and 19, January 4 and 6 and February 17, 23 and 25.

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.”