RMT Tube Drivers Announce Eight Days of Strikes
Proposed action will run from November through to February
The RMT disagrees with Aslef about the proposed working arrangements
November 9, 2026
London Underground passengers face the prospect of fresh disruption stretching from late November into February after the RMT union announced eight days of strike action in a long-running dispute over proposed changes to drivers' working arrangements.
The union said Tube drivers will stage a series of 24-hour walkouts over plans by London Underground to introduce a voluntary four-day working week alongside a new Trains Modernisation Framework. RMT argues the changes would weaken existing agreements and worsen working conditions for drivers. [
The strikes are scheduled to begin at noon on:
- Thursday, November 26, 2026
- Thursday, December 17, 2026
- Saturday, December 19, 2026
- Monday, January 4, 2027
- Wednesday, January 6, 2027
- Wednesday, February 17, 2027
- Tuesday, February 23, 2027
- Thursday, February 25, 2027
Each walkout will last 24 hours.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey accused London Underground of using the proposed four-day week to introduce wider changes to drivers' terms and conditions. The union claims the plans would require drivers to spend more time operating trains, accept longer duties, earlier starts and later finishes, while also allowing short-notice shift changes and altering existing arrangements covering transfers and annual leave.
The RMT has also expressed concern that the proposals could lead to significant job losses, pointing to draft staffing arrangements on the Bakerloo line which it says indicate reductions in driver numbers. The union maintains it has sought guarantees that drivers who remain on current five-day working agreements would not suffer any detriment, but says those assurances have not been provided.
However, Transport for London and London Underground have strongly disputed the union's claims. Nick Dent, London Underground's Director of Customer Operations, said management had been engaging with trade unions for months over the proposals and stressed that drivers would be able to remain on a five-day working week if they chose. He said drivers who opt to stay on existing arrangements would have a guarantee of remaining at their current depot.
Mr Dent said the proposals would offer staff "a real, meaningful choice" over their working patterns while reducing the amount of time drivers spend at work overall and helping deliver a more efficient and reliable service for passengers.
The announcement also exposed divisions within the Tube workforce. The train drivers' union Aslef, which represents many London Underground drivers, said it was surprised by the RMT's decision to strike. Aslef's London Underground organiser Finn Brennan said the proposed voluntary four-day week would provide drivers with an additional 35 days off each year through rosters based on a 34-hour week. He added that TfL had agreed that drivers wishing to remain on a five-day week would be able to do so "without suffering any detriment".
The planned action includes two strikes in December, including one beginning on Saturday, December 19, raising the prospect of disruption during one of the busiest shopping weekends before Christmas. Business groups have warned that any reduction in Tube services could affect retailers, hospitality venues and visitor attractions during a crucial trading period.
The dispute follows earlier industrial action over the same issue during 2026 and suggests a negotiated settlement remains some distance away despite months of talks between London Underground and the unions.
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