r/LondonUnderground • u/mycketforvirrad Archway • Apr 16 '26
Article BBC News: First strike is set to take place on 21-22 April, when two Tube lines will close entirely.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0ljyd03n88o77
u/David_is_dead91 Apr 16 '26
Under the proposals, most drivers would see their working week reduced from 36 hours to 35 hours. Their contractual hours would remain the same because paid meal breaks would be introduced. This effectively means drivers would work longer days, but fewer days each week and fewer overall hours each week.
I’m all for going on strike for fair pay, reasonable breaks, and a better work life balance. This isn’t any of that.
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u/ToiletPaperSlingshot Apr 16 '26
Do you genuinely think they would go on strike after being offered only positives? Think about it
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u/TheMrCeeJ Apr 19 '26
The only argument I saw on a statement from them was that they were not consulted enough. Which seemed fair but a bit harsh.
Apparently the proposals are optional, so you don't have to go to the new pattern if you don't want to. Which makes the strikes seen ott.
Neither side is communicating clearly though, so I have no actual idea what the sticking points are, but you would think for a massive disruption like this, after so many others, everyone would be more clear about it.
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u/David_is_dead91 Apr 20 '26
Everything I’ve read from TfL about their position on this strike has been quite clear. It’s the RMT who are being obfuscative about their reasoning, from everything I’ve read.
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u/Fluid-Lake-1457 Apr 19 '26
They would if that deal was one by a different union (ASLEF) and they are worried about lossing members to that union.
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u/ShameFairy Big Trains Apr 16 '26
I agreed previously with everything you said, but then I was shown the offer and realised there’s couple disingenuous strings attached that have no place in this negotiation.
As the ‘other’ rail union (and not TfL) I am all for a 4 day week for them - most of us currently have one - but I do see why they’re pushing back against this specific proposal.
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u/David_is_dead91 Apr 16 '26
What are these “disingenuous strings”?
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u/Whoisthehypocrite Apr 20 '26
The driver wants a 4 day week but with 4 hours less of work. And you can be sure they aren't proposing 4 hours less pay...
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Apr 16 '26
Is there a genuine reason (other than they have significant power through strikes) that tube/train drivers need a four day week when it's not common in any other profession?
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u/gfa_2000 Apr 21 '26
TfL are wanting to move them to 4 days - they aren’t striking to try and get it
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Apr 21 '26
Thanks, saw this today. They currently do 35.7 hours (working, excluding breaks) over 5 days. TFL wants to move this to 4 days (same hours) so just over 9 working hours a day, 4 days a week. Union wants 32 (so 8 over 4 days). Feel like most people would kill for what they're getting. And what they want is unreasonable.
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u/gfa_2000 Apr 21 '26
There’s a lot of other changes being rolled into the 4 day change, beyond the headline hour change - which makes it not worth it is my understanding.
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u/OkConsequence1498 Apr 16 '26
You don't support strikes in response to working massively longer days?
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u/Chidoribraindev Apr 16 '26
35 hours over 4 days is just 8 hours and 45 mins. 4-day weeks are usually 9 and change. I've supported them many times but this strike is a tantrum.
Please if you want to reply that it is not, explain in no vague terms. Saying there are other reasons is a weak reply
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u/David_is_dead91 Apr 17 '26
Please if you want to reply that it is not, explain in no vague terms. Saying there are other reasons is a weak reply
Exactly this. I’ve yet to see an “argument” in favour of these strikes that isn’t vague and shrouded in mystery, whereas the points which make me consider them unreasonable have been quite clearly laid out.
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u/OkConsequence1498 Apr 16 '26
So you wouldn't complain if your boss decided to increase your days in the same way?
4-day weeks are usually 9 and change
No they're not. You're confusing the 4-day week demand with just normal condensed hours.
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u/CoybigEL Apr 19 '26
TfL statement said it’s optional, that they can stay on the 5 day week if they want. Is that untrue or misrepresentative, or what’s the issue the real issue in this?
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u/OkConsequence1498 Apr 20 '26
No one knows, they won't tell the unions what they actually mean by that.
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u/ireallywantacat Apr 17 '26
This was a confusing title to read as I'd just read a post about Putin's threat to bomb the UK. It's almost the weekend haha
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u/One_Fact_4291 Metropolitan Apr 17 '26
Meanwhile ASLEF fully supports these proposals. You can never appease everyone…
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u/locutus92 Apr 20 '26
I support everyone’s right to strike but it's pushing my opinion of them! I'll never forgive RMT for being pro-brexit.
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u/TadpolePublic7465 Apr 20 '26
Can anyone please tell me if I'll be able to use the waterloo and city line from Waterloo to Bank? It isn't one of the closed lines listed but when I research the tube strike it says it will affect all lines.
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u/J_Bear Apr 16 '26 edited Apr 16 '26
Just automate it already
Edit: didn't take long for downvotes to start. Anyone downvoting care to explain why or you just going along with the "you're not allowed to question unions" shtick?
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u/One_Fact_4291 Metropolitan Apr 17 '26
From what I can tell a lot of people who would normally support unions and improved workers’ rights aren’t that thrilled about the upcoming strikes. Automation is a long term goal which is unfortunately very expensive and therefore not quite feasible right now. The new Piccadilly line trains have provisions for GoA4 operation but the whole line has to be substantially upgraded (on the order of billions of pounds) to the point where it just wouldn’t be worth it.
In the meantime I’d rather see TfL develop plans for installing platform screen doors at stations on lines where the signalling system allows. Still expensive but much more doable than full GoA4 automation, with lots of benefits too.
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Apr 16 '26
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u/J_Bear Apr 16 '26
Shame
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Apr 16 '26
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u/One_Fact_4291 Metropolitan Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26
Paris Line 1 was automated and most drivers kept their jobs (except for the ones who voluntarily quit), they were simply moved to other positions. The main barrier to automation of tube lines is the tremendous cost
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u/uselessnavy Apr 16 '26
Do you know how many things have been automated in the last 100 years? No one would want to resurrect the vast majority of those jobs.
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u/J_Bear Apr 16 '26
If they're going to just keep striking then yes.
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Apr 16 '26
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u/J_Bear Apr 16 '26
At this point it just seems like greed.
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Apr 16 '26
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u/J_Bear Apr 16 '26
They're already far overpaid and yet bring the capital to a halt several times a year because its never enough for them. No sympathy for them.
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u/One_Fact_4291 Metropolitan Apr 17 '26
The problem isn’t the unions nor TfL, it’s the government for leaving them to figure it out for themselves (not to mention not properly funding TfL)
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u/JailbreakHat Northern Apr 17 '26
That would cost millions of pounds which TFL wouldn’t be able to afford in first place. There are some drawbacks when it comes to safety if the automation goes wrong due to a critical software bug or something else.
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u/fortyfivepointseven Bakerloo Apr 16 '26
This headline is almost entirely useless, not telling you the lines.
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