00:01Tube drivers, who are members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers,
00:06are set to begin a series of 24-hour strikes later this month in a dispute over plans to
00:11introduce a condensed four-day working week on the London Underground.
00:15The first walkout is scheduled for the 24th of March, with further strikes planned on the 26th
00:21of March, as well as others in April and May. The RMT said its members voted in favour of
00:27industrial action last month. The union claims underground bosses are pushing ahead with plans
00:32to compress a normal working week into four days, despite the proposal having been rejected by a
00:38majority of train operators. It says drivers have raised concerns about longer shifts,
00:43working time arrangements and the potential impact fatigue could have on safety.
00:48RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said London Underground was attempting to force through
00:53significant changes to working patterns that members had already rejected.
00:58However, Transport for London described the planned strikes as completely unnecessary and said it had
01:03been engaging with the union about how a voluntary four-day working week could be introduced for
01:08drivers on the Bakerloo line. A spokesperson said discussions with unions have been ongoing since
01:15the proposal was first shared last year and adding that the strikes could have a serious impact
01:21impact on commuters and businesses and urging the union to call off such strikes any time in the future.
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