Tube strikes to go ahead next week as RMT accuses TfL of refusing to negotiate to avoid walkout chaos

Strikes by London Underground drivers will go ahead next week bringing travel chaos to the capital , the RMT union has confirmed.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union confirmed on Saturday that its members will walk out from 12 noon for 24 hours on Tuesday and Thursday, accusing Transport for London of “imposing” a new, four-day working week.

The RMT has accused TfL bosses of reneging on promises to negotiate in good faith, making Tube driver strike action next week “inevitable”.

Business leaders appealed for the strikes to be called off as they threatened to cause travel misery for many Londoners and hit the capital with a bill estimated at £210million.

But the hope of successful talks to avert the strike action have ended, according to the union.

It also means further strike action is set to hit the network in May and June.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "We have approached negotiations with TfL in good faith throughout this entire process, but despite our best efforts, TfL seem unwilling to make any concessions in a bid to avert strike action.

"This is extremely disappointing and has baffled our negotiators.

"The approach of TfL is not one which leads to industrial peace and will infuriate our members who want to see a negotiated settlement to this avoidable dispute."
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan had previously issued a plea for TfL and the RMT to get round the table for talks on averting the damaging strike.

A City Hall source said: “Nobody wants to see strike action which has a serious impact on Londoners, businesses and commuters.

“The Mayor continues to urge the RMT and TfL to get around the table to resolve this matter and call off this planned strike action.”
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Most lines will run on a reduced service when the strike action begins on Tuesday except for the Piccadilly and Circle lines, which are not expected to run at all, TfL says.

There will also be no service on the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate, or on the Central line between White City and Aldgate.

Unlike previous strikes that began in the early hours , this time services will be affected from midday, which could catch commuters out at the busiest times, with the effects of the strike felt across four working days.

TfL said services will vary across lines and urged passengers to check before they travel.

Some bus routes in the capital operated by Stagecoach will be affected by a separate 24-hour strike from 5am on Friday April 24.

A separate strike, involving Unite members, will be happening from Thursday to Saturday next week, coinciding with the RMT walkouts.

Over 150 members of the Union are walking out over a dispute around changes to rosters with increased weekend working and further travel to sites across London.

Strike action comes ahead of the London Marathon weekend , when hundreds of thousands of additional visitors are expected to flood the city.

Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said: "We have set out proposals to the RMT for a four-day working week.

"This allows us to offer train operators an additional day off, whilst at the same time bringing London Underground in line with the working patterns of other train operating companies, improving reliability and flexibility at no additional cost.

"The changes would be voluntary, there would be no reduction in contractual hours and those who wish to continue a five-day working week pattern would be able to do so."
TfL has been contacted for further comment.