London Underground train operators who belong to the RMT are set to stage three pairs of walkouts in March, April and May in a dispute over four-day working, which would mean fewer but longer shifts.

It is reported that ASLEF is not objecting to the idea, but the RMT says it is concerned about the possibilities of staff becoming tired, putting safety at risk, and that its members have also voiced objections about shift lengths and unacceptable working time arrangements.

As well as six strikes in March, April and May, the union has also instructed its members not to use any official electronic devices, including iPads, from 21 March until further notice.

The RMT said its representatives had attempted to resolve the situation over several months but that London Underground has ‘refused to negotiate’.

The first two strikes have been planned from 12.00 on 24 March until 11.59 the following day, and at the same times on 26 and 27 March.

Unless a settlement is reached in the meantime, staff have been called out for two more 24-hour periods from 21 and 23 April, and again from 19 and 21 May.

The union’s general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: ‘We are clear that these proposals raise serious concerns around fatigue, safety and work-life balance.

‘Despite our best efforts over many months, no satisfactory outcome has been reached so we have no choice but to call strike dates.

‘There is still time for London Underground to come up with a workable solution but we will take strike action if we cannot get a negotiated settlement.’

TfL said: ‘We shared our proposal for a four-day working week with our trade unions last year. Since then, we have been engaging with them on how best to implement the new working pattern. We have started talking with our unions about how to implement a four-day working week for train drivers on the Bakerloo line only. 

‘These threatened strikes are completely unnecessary and will have a serious impact on London’s businesses and commuters and we urge them to call off this action. The changes would be voluntary, there will be no reduction in contractual hours and those who wish to continue a five-day working week pattern will be able to do so. These changes will help us to improve reliability, improve our ability to flexibly deploy our drivers and enable us to offer a modern and efficient service while creating no additional cost.’

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