London Tube Strikes Set to Cause Major Disruption
Londoners are bracing for another week of travel chaos as fresh strikes are set to cripple Tube services. The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has announced two 24-hour walkouts on Tuesday, June 2, and Thursday, June 4, as part of an ongoing dispute over plans to introduce a voluntary four-day week for drivers.
Some Tube lines will be forced to shut if the strike goes ahead, while others will operate with severe or minor delays. The disruption is expected to hit particularly hard for parents returning to work after the May half-term break.
Background of the Dispute
The RMT called off its planned strikes in May at the eleventh hour following a breakthrough in talks. Union officials claimed that Transport for London (TfL) had "shifted its position" on the four-day week proposal. However, TfL told MyLondon that its stance has not changed throughout the dispute. This gave both sides more time to negotiate, but the union has confirmed that the strikes on June 2 and 4 will proceed as planned.
TfL has expressed hope that the points raised by the RMT can be resolved over time and has urged the union to cancel the walkout to allow for more detailed discussions. The RMT, however, accuses TfL of refusing to engage meaningfully with their concerns about the voluntary four-day week arrangements.
Key Differences from Previous Strikes
The June strikes will differ from the most recent walkouts. Unlike the April strikes, which began at midday, these 24-hour walkouts will run from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on both days. This means the morning rush hour will be heavily impacted, whereas previous strikes had a more immediate effect on afternoon and evening journeys.
Negotiation Stalemate
The dispute centers on TfL's proposal to introduce a voluntary four-day week for drivers. Currently, drivers earn around £80,000 per year working 36-hour weeks spread over five days. TfL wants them to work 35 hours across four days. The RMT, however, is pushing for a 32-hour, four-day week. TfL Chief Operating Officer Claire Mann has stated that this would be "unaffordable" for London, costing "tens of millions."
After the last walkout in May was cancelled at the last minute, both sides appeared close to an agreement. The RMT seemed satisfied that TfL was "willing to compromise on rosters, fatigue, and safety issues," but TfL maintains it has not changed its position. TfL has reiterated that Tube drivers can choose not to opt into the new pattern and can continue working the current five-day, 36-hour week.
TfL has also noted that staff are monitoring the success of a four-day week trial on the Bakerloo line before developing a network-wide agreement. The authority has called on the RMT to call off the strike to avoid hindering ongoing discussions. Meanwhile, rival drivers' union ASLEF has already accepted the four-day week proposal, describing it as the "biggest improvement in working conditions for decades," which weakens the RMT's position as ASLEF drivers would still report for work during the strike.
Claire Mann said: "We still believe that the points they have raised can be worked out in time, through more detailed discussions, and we are continuing to talk to the union's representatives to find a way to avoid disruption to London." The RMT, however, claims TfL has not engaged meaningfully with its concerns. A spokesperson said: "Our members have raised serious concerns around fatigue, longer shifts, reduced flexibility, and the impact these proposals could have in a safety-critical role. RMT remains available for meaningful talks, but London Underground cannot push ahead with changes to drivers' working conditions while refusing to properly address legitimate safety and workplace concerns."
Impact on Tube Lines
TfL expects no service on the Piccadilly and Circle lines during the strikes. The Metropolitan line will likely shut between Baker Street and Aldgate, and the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street. The Piccadilly line has the highest proportion of RMT members, while the Circle line and parts of the Metropolitan and Central lines will likely close to protect services on busier parts of the network. In April, the Piccadilly line ran with severe delays, while the Victoria and Northern lines operated with minor delays. Most lines are expected to close early due to staffing shortages caused by the strike.
Timeline of Recent London Transport Strikes
- 2022 (June–August): Multiple Tube and rail walkouts over pay and job security during a wave of national strikes.
- 2023 (March & July): Tube drivers staged 24-hour strikes over pensions, pay freezes, and working hours.
- 2024 (January): Mayor Sadiq Khan averted an RMT strike after finding £30 million for a pay offer.
- 2024 (April): A planned ASLEF strike was cancelled after an improved pay offer.
- 2024 (November): RMT and ASLEF strikes called off at the last minute due to an improved pay offer.
- September 2025: A seven-day Tube strike and DLR strike action over fatigue, shift patterns, and wage disputes.
- March 2026: Two 24-hour strikes were suspended after the RMT claimed TfL was willing to negotiate. Two extra strike dates were added.
- April 2026: Two 24-hour strikes took place as the RMT pushed for a 32-hour working week over four days.
- May 2026: Two 24-hour strikes were suspended at the eleventh hour after the RMT said TfL was willing to compromise.
- June 2026 (planned): Two 24-hour strikes are set to take place as the RMT continues to push for a 32-hour, four-day week.
For the latest travel updates, sign up for our London Underground newsletter.
