London Underground Strikes: RMT Confirms More Travel Disruptions

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has confirmed a series of strikes on the London Underground network scheduled for May and June 2026. The industrial action follows a breakdown in negotiations with Transport for London (TfL) over the introduction of a compressed four-day working week for tube drivers.

The confirmed walkouts are scheduled as two 24-hour strikes spread across four days in May, and a similar pattern in June. The specific strike dates are May 19-20 and May 21-22, as well as June 16-17 and June 18-19. Each period of industrial action is scheduled to run from 12pm to 11.59am.

The Working Week Dispute

At the center of the dispute is a proposal by TfL to introduce a voluntary, opt-in working pattern. Currently, London Underground drivers are paid approximately £80,000 per year to work 36 hours a week spread across five days. TfL is pushing for a new arrangement where drivers could instead work 35 hours across four days.

While the rival union ASLEF has accepted this proposal, the RMT has rejected the 35-hour compressed week. The union has raised concerns regarding shift lengths and working time arrangements, stating that the compressed schedule could negatively impact passenger safety and driver fatigue.

The RMT is instead demanding that TfL accept a 32-hour working week spread across four days while maintaining the same salary. The union is seeking resolutions to specific concerns regarding transfers between depots and shift patterns included in the contract offer from TfL.

Financial and Safety Arguments

TfL has pushed back against the union’s demands for a further reduction in hours. The chief operating officer for TfL stated that reducing working hours to a 32-hour week would be "unaffordable" and would cost the authority in the tens of millions.

The RMT maintains that the current push by London Underground management to compress a normal working week into four days is an unacceptable approach to staffing and safety.

Status of Negotiations

The two parties remain in a stand-off as the May strike dates approach. The RMT has accused TfL of "breaking promises" regarding negotiations to prevent the walkouts. A union spokesperson claimed that TfL has made no attempt to engage in proper negotiations and is instead attempting to move implementation plans through a forum that excludes union officials and senior managers.

TfL countered these claims on May 12, 2026, stating that it continues to hold scheduled weekly meetings with both ASLEF and the RMT. However, the authority acknowledged that specific talks focused on ending the planned strikes have not been held with the RMT.

The RMT has stated that its strike action remains scheduled as it continues to seek a negotiated settlement.

Impact on London Transport

The upcoming strikes follow a period of industrial action in April 2026 and previous strikes in September 2025. During the April walkouts, TfL was able to maintain a reduced service on most tube lines.

Commuters are advised that the Elizabeth line will not be affected by the industrial action, as it is not a London Underground service and its drivers do not participate in tube strikes. Other available transport alternatives include buses, trams, the Overground, National Rail trains, and e-bikes.