RMT picket line at Premier House tube station, April 2026/ Photo: Pete Webster
RMT members were striking on Tuesday and will again on Thursday and Friday. Pete Webster explains the issues, and why you should support the strikers
Numerous RMT picket lines across London formed at midday on Tuesday as tube drivers commenced the first of two 24-hour strikes for this week. More than twenty sites saw pickets from West Ruislip to Upminster and Cockfosters to Morden.
Widespread disruption is expected to increase as drivers refuse to book onto shifts after the start of the strike at midday. The Circle line was completely closed early and most other lines were subject to increasing delays as the action bit.
At the root is the cavalier attitude of a belligerent management that is seeking to impose drastic changes to shift patterns and to increase their length. A move that the union says will lead to further fatigue amongst its members.
The proposed changes, if imposed, also include longer driving times before a break, fewer opportunities to transfer between depots and a reduction in the number of drivers.
RMT officials say they are in favour of moving to a four-day week but not at the price of London Underground’s cost-cutting project which will dismantle working conditions.
Tube drivers already work around the clock and work extreme shifts. The new proposals could see trains being operated by someone who started work at 3.45 in the morning who does not get a break for over five hours. After half an hour, they could be back at the controls for up to a maximum shift length of nine and a half hours with the possibility of overtime on top. They may not know what shifts they are working until 24 hours beforehand.
These attacks must not be seen in isolation. If management succeeds in imposing the changes, it will give them a green light to reduce wages and conditions of service across all grades.
It is too early to predict the outcome of the dispute at the moment but any workplace battle requires unity on the picket and solidarity from members. In that sense, the drivers are in a good place.
The strike will resume at midday on Thursday for 24 hours and anybody who can visit a picket to show support and solidarity are welcome.
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