Tube drivers to stage strikes in Christmas run-up

Finn Brennan, Aslef's full-time organiser on London Underground, said: "We are surprised that the RMT has, once again, decided to take strike action to try to prevent Underground drivers moving to a four-day week on a voluntary basis.

"The voluntary four-day week gives Tube train drivers an extra 35 days off every year with rosters based on a 34-hour week in return for some changes to working conditions and moving to electronic, rather than paper-based, systems for booking on for duty.

"Management have agreed that anyone who wants to keep working a five-day week will be able to do so without suffering any detriment, and we will be holding them to that.

"A strike designed to stop people having the choice of a shorter working week and more time off is a strange choice to make."

Under the proposals, most drivers would see their working week reduced from 36 hours to 35 hours, according to TfL.

Their contractual hours would remain the same because paid meal breaks would be introduced.

This effectively means drivers would work longer days, but fewer days each week and fewer overall hours each week.

The RMT instead wants a 32-hour week over four days, meaning drivers would work three fewer hours each week for the same salary.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk, external