The RMT has accused Transport for London of ‘reneging’ on promises to ‘negotiate in good faith’ over proposals for a four-day working week. The union said the first of two pairs of strikes are set to go ahead from midday tomorrow until midday on Wednesday. The second walkout this week is planned between midday on Thursday and midday on Friday. 

The RMT said TfL had written to the union, offering to negotiate on all elements of the proposals.

However, it has now informed the RMT that the proposals to condense the working week into four days will now be going ahead, although the union said most drivers had voted against the idea in two separate referendums.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: ‘We have approached negotiations with TfL in good faith throughout this entire process. But despite our best efforts, TfL seem unwilling to make any concessions in a bid to avert strike action.

‘This is extremely disappointing and has baffled our negotiators. The approach of TfL is not one which leads to industrial peace and will infuriate our members, who want to see a negotiated settlement to this avoidable dispute.’

TfL said the strikes would affect the whole Underground network, with no trains expected on the Piccadilly and Circle lines. Metropolitan line trains will terminate at Baker Street, with no services between there and Aldgate, and trains are also unlikely on the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.  A reduced service will run elsewhere but ‘significant disruption’ is expected. Services that do run will be very busy.

Trains on the Elizabeth line, London Overground and the Docklands Light Railway will not be affected.

TfL described has the walkouts as ‘completely unnecessary’.

Chief operating officer Claire Mann said the proposals, which are being tried on the Bakerloo line, allowed TfL to ‘offer train operators an additional day off, whilst at the same time bringing London Underground in line with the working patterns of other train operating companies, improving reliability and flexibility at no additional cost.

She continued: ‘The changes would be voluntary, there would be no reduction in contractual hours and those who wish to continue a five-day working week pattern would be able to do so.’

Unless there is a settlement in the meantime, another pair of strikes is planned between 19 and 22 May.

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