London Underground passengers face significant disruption after the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) announced eight 24-hour strikes between November 2026 and February 2027, escalating a long-running dispute over proposed changes to train drivers’ working arrangements.
The industrial action will begin at 12 noon on Thursday, 26 November, with further walkouts planned for 17 and 19 December, 4 and 6 January, and 17, 23 and 25 February.
The strikes could disrupt travel across the capital during the busy Christmas shopping period and into the new year, affecting commuters, businesses and visitors who rely on the Tube network.
At the centre of the dispute is a proposed voluntary four-day working week, which the RMT argues would undermine existing employment protections and place greater demands on drivers.
According to the union, the revised arrangements would require drivers to spend more time operating trains, work longer and less predictable shifts, and accept earlier starts and later finishes.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey accused London Underground of presenting changes to working conditions as a voluntary reduction in the working week.
He argued that drivers choosing either four or five days would be required to surrender existing protections and that those unwilling to accept the changes could face displacement from their current depots.
The union maintains that established agreements covering working arrangements should not be weakened as part of the proposed restructuring.
However, train drivers’ union Aslef has challenged the RMT’s decision to strike, arguing that the proposals would provide employees with greater flexibility and additional time away from work.
Finn Brennan, Aslef’s full-time organiser on London Underground, said the voluntary four-day week would give drivers an additional 35 days off annually, with rosters based on a 34-hour working week.
The proposals would involve changes to working practices, including replacing paper-based duty booking arrangements with electronic systems.
Brennan said management had agreed that employees wishing to retain a five-day working week could do so without suffering any disadvantage.
Aslef remains in discussions with Transport for London over the final details and has indicated that it intends to ensure those assurances are honoured.
The disagreement highlights contrasting interpretations of the proposals, with the RMT warning of reduced employment protections while Aslef emphasises the potential benefits of a shorter working week.
Business organisations have warned that the planned industrial action could cause substantial disruption, particularly during the festive trading period.
Ed Richardson, transport programme director at BusinessLDN, said the strikes could hit London’s hospitality sector particularly hard, with restaurants, shops and entertainment venues relying heavily on visitor numbers during November and December.
Although some commuters may be able to work from home or use alternative transport, businesses dependent on customers travelling into central London could face reduced footfall.
Richardson urged the parties to reach an agreement and avoid disruption to passengers and businesses.
The first strike is scheduled to begin at noon on Thursday, 26 November, with the final announced walkout planned for Thursday, 25 February 2027. Each action is scheduled to last 24 hours.
The extent of disruption will depend on staffing levels, operational arrangements and whether negotiations produce an agreement before the strikes take place.
With eight strike dates now announced, London Underground passengers and businesses face several months of uncertainty, as the unions and management continue their dispute over the proposed working arrangements.
