London faces a second day of severe Underground disruption as RMT union drivers stage another 24-hour strike over proposed changes to working conditions. The action follows a walkout on Tuesday 2 June that reduced Tube usage by 43 per cent during morning peak hours.
The Dispute
The strikes centre on Transport for London's proposal to introduce a voluntary 35-hour, four-day working week for drivers. The plan would reduce the working week from 36 hours to 35 hours with paid meal breaks included.
RMT union members are demanding a 32-hour working week across four days without reduction in salary. The union's position contrasts with that of Aslef, which represents a slightly larger number of drivers and has endorsed TfL's proposal as "exactly the sort of deal every trade union should be trying to achieve."
A TfL spokesperson said it was "bitterly disappointing that despite five hours of meetings with the RMT at ACAS and repeated assurances that the four-day working week proposals will remain voluntary, RMT has chosen to continue with its disruptive strike action."
The RMT responded that it "remains available for meaningful talks, but strike action will now go ahead."
Tuesday's Disruption
Data from Tuesday's strike revealed the scale of impact on the capital:
- Tube usage fell by 43 per cent in the hours up to 10:00
- Sixty per cent of drivers reported for work by 06:00, according to TfL
- The Circle and Waterloo and City lines were suspended entirely
- The Bakerloo, Piccadilly and Central lines experienced partial suspensions
- Severe delays affected the District, Hammersmith and City, and Victoria lines
Thursday's Expected Impact
Services on Thursday 4 June are expected to be severely limited:
- No service planned on Circle and Piccadilly lines
- No Metropolitan line trains between Baker Street and Aldgate
- No Central line service between White City and Liverpool Street
- Limited services on the Bakerloo, District, Hammersmith and City, Jubilee, Northern, Victoria and Waterloo and City lines
- No trains running before 06:30 or after 21:00 BST
Local Impact
Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan urged both parties to "get round the table" ahead of Thursday's strike. He said workers lose a day's salary, TfL loses revenues, businesses lose customers, and residents miss hospital appointments. "This is a massive inconvenience," he said.
The hospitality sector has warned of cancelled bookings and lost trade. Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, noted that affected weekdays represent important trading periods for London businesses.
The Guide Dogs charity has reported additional challenges for visually impaired Londoners, citing crowded buses and pavements obstructed by e-bikes during strike days.
Bus Strikes to Follow
Further industrial action is scheduled for mid-June. More than 300 drivers at East London Bus and Coach Company, operated by Stagecoach, will walk out from 11 to 14 June. The Unite union action will affect routes 8, N8, 25, N25, 45, 205, N205 and 425.
Weather Concerns
BBC Weather forecasts thunderstorms over London during Thursday's morning rush hour and later in the day, which may compound travel difficulties for those seeking alternative routes.