RMT announces eight-day strike campaign on London Underground from late November

The RMT union has announced a schedule of eight 24-hour strikes on the London Underground between November 2026 and February 2027, in a dispute over the reorganisation of drivers' working hours, according to Railway Pro [1]. The first strike is due to begin on Thursday 26 November 2026, with further action planned on Friday 27 November and into future dates in December, January and February, Railway Pro reported [1]. Two of the strikes fall on 17 and 19 December, during what the outlet described as one of the busiest periods of the year for the capital, when public transport is heavily used by shoppers and tourists ahead of Christmas [1]. Each strike is scheduled to run for 24 hours, from midday until the same time the following day, meaning the action would potentially disrupt two calendar days of travel, including the afternoon rush hour and the following morning's commute, according to the announcement published by the RMT and cited by Railway Pro [1]. Transport for London (TfL), which operates the Underground, has not yet said which lines would be affected or how many trains would run during the strikes, Railway Pro reported [1]. The Elizabeth Line, London Overground and the Docklands Light Railway are not affected by the action, though they may see higher passenger numbers if Underground services are reduced, according to the report [1]. The dispute centres on TfL's proposal to allow train drivers the option of a four-day working week, achieved through a reorganisation of shifts [1]. TfL management has said the new timetable would be voluntary, with drivers who wish to remain on the current five-day system able to do so, Railway Pro reported [1]. The RMT, however, argues the changes would bring longer shifts, more time at the controls, and alterations to timetables at short notice, according to the union's position as reported by Railway Pro [1]. Union representatives also said the changes could affect holiday entitlement and transfers between depots, and warned the proposals could lead to job losses, pointing to staffing plans drawn up for the Bakerloo line [1]. "We are not opposed to a genuine four-day working week that would benefit our members, but we will not accept it being used to cut jobs, increase workloads and erode terms and conditions of employment," RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said, according to Railway Pro [1]. The union is calling for the current proposals to be withdrawn and for negotiations to resume, the outlet reported [1]. Aslef, the other major union representing London Underground drivers, has taken a different position and has expressed support for the reorganisation, arguing it could give drivers more time off, according to Railway Pro [1]. Aslef said the proposal would reduce the working week to 34 hours, down from around 36 hours at present, in exchange for changes to operating conditions and the introduction of digital procedures, the outlet reported [1]. Nick Dent, Director of Passenger Operations at London Underground, said negotiations with unions had led to additional safeguards being introduced, including a guarantee that drivers choosing to remain on the five-day rota would retain their current depot, according to Railway Pro [1]. He said the reorganisation would improve service efficiency and reduce the time employees spend on duty, the outlet reported [1]. The dispute has already led to strikes in spring and summer 2026, during which London Underground services were disrupted, though not all lines were fully closed, according to Railway Pro [1]. The eight newly announced strikes are not yet inevitable, the outlet said, and the schedule could be amended if the union and TfL management reach an agreement before the dates in question [1].