All the strikes hitting London in April

London faces a week of travel chaos as a new wave of industrial action disrupts the transport network.

It comes just weeks after a six-day walkout by doctors caused disruption to NHS services earlier this month.

Drivers belonging to the RMT union have confirmed they will strike for 24 hours on both Tuesday, April 21, and Thursday, April 23, with action beginning at midday on both days.

The Standard has put together a full breakdown of the strikes and what commuters can expect .

RMT drivers strike - Tuesday, April 21 and Thursday, April 22
Drivers on the London Underground are staging 24-hour walkouts (midday to midday), meaning disruption will spill over across four working days next week.

No service is expected on the Piccadilly and Circle lines during these periods.

There will also be partial closures on the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street and on the Metropolitan Line between Baker Street and Aldgate.

TfL anticipates a reduced service on most other lines, which will likely lead to overcrowding as passengers look for alternative routes.

Passengers should be aware that they may not be able to board the first service, TfL has warned.

RMT members are striking primarily over the introduction of a four-day working week , which the union says could increase fatigue and compromise safety, although TfL maintains the changes are voluntary and has described the strikes as “completely unnecessary.”
They will strike again in May on Tuesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 21 from midday to the following midday.

Despite the disruption, TfL anticipates a less severe impact on commuters than September’s strikes, as drivers from the ASLEF union and non-driver members of the RMT union are not taking part in the strike.

Unite bus workers strike - Thursday April 23 to Saturday April 25
Over 150 Unite members, who are bus station and network traffic controllers, will walk out from April 23 to 25, to coincide with RMT workers taking action on the Tube .

The dispute centres on changes to rosters, specifically increased weekend working and more extensive travel across London to sites that teams have not previously covered.

Unite members argue this will lead to fatigue and expose them to disciplinary action, as they believe they will be unable to travel to every site on time.

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The union warns the strike could cause issues for London Marathon runners and spectators on Sunday, as striking workers are responsible for planned diversions and installing signage.

However, Transport for London has told the Standard no issues are anticipated as mitigation plans are already in place.

Unite and East London Bus & Coach Company bus workers at Bow Bus Garage - Friday, April 24
A total of 300 bus drivers from the East London Bus & Coach Company (part of Stagecoach), represented by Unite, will strike next week over disputes around long-distance shifts and insufficient breaks.

Industrial action will impact seven routes from Bow bus garage to central London and Westfield Stratford City shopping centre.

These are the 8, N8, 25, N25, 45, 205 and N205.

Unite says drivers are enduring long shifts without adequate breaks, increased weekend working, and insufficient rest time between shifts.

The union’s general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Our members at Bow bus garage should not be risking their lives just to go to work.

"The situation is appalling, not just for workers but the general public.

Stagecoach needs to take drivers' concerns seriously and act immediately.

Drivers at Bow bus garage have Unite's complete support during this dispute."
RMT workers on the Windrush line - Thursday, April 23
Strike action by RMT members, specifically signalling and telecoms staff, will impact services on the London Overground Windrush line next Thursday.

The strike is expected to cause severe disruption or a total suspension of services between Highbury & Islington and Clapham Junction, West Croydon, and Crystal Palace.

While the Elizabeth line, DLR and London trams remain operational, they will be extremely crowded, so passengers are advised to avoid the Windrush line entirely on Thursday and check for residual delays on Friday morning.