London tube strikes to go ahead on Tuesday and Thursday, RMT says

The RMT union has confirmed that two 24-hour strikes by London Underground drivers will proceed on Tuesday 2 June and Thursday 4 June, amid ongoing disputes over a proposed four-day working week. The stoppages, running from 00:01 to 23:59 on both days, are expected to cause significant disruption across the Tube network. Transport for London (TfL) has warned commuters to prepare for delays, although it anticipates that most tube lines will continue to operate during the strikes. The industrial action stems from the union’s concerns about the proposed compressed working schedule, which it says could lead to increased fatigue, longer shifts, reduced flexibility, and safety risks for drivers. The RMT has criticized TfL for not engaging meaningfully with these issues. TfL, however, maintains that the four-day week would be trialled on a voluntary basis and has received support from a slight majority of drivers. The pilot scheme is planned to begin on the Bakerloo line, with the aim of benefiting both staff and passengers. Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, expressed disappointment over the continued strikes and emphasized the authority’s willingness to resolve the dispute through further dialogue. She urged the union to cooperate to avoid further disruption, highlighting that many drivers are in favor of progressing with the new working pattern. The RMT’s opposition has already triggered previous strikes, including action in April, and although a two-day strike planned for mid-May was called off at the last minute, the union has brought forward the June strikes to early June, signaling that the dispute remains unresolved. The ongoing conflict highlights broader tensions in the transport sector over working conditions and operational changes, with implications for London’s commuters and the future of flexible work arrangements within critical public services. The strikes underscore the challenges TfL faces in balancing workforce demands with service reliability amid evolving labor expectations.