London commuters and visitors are bracing for looming travel chaos as TfL tube strikes will go ahead this week.
As per The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) confirmation, its members will go on strike from 12pm for 24 hours on Tuesday, April 21, and Thursday. April 23.
The first strike will occur on Tuesday and persist through Wednesday and the second strike will last from Thursday into Friday.
The dispute stems from the Transport for London’s (TfL) proposal for imposing a new, four-day working week. Even the negotiations with TfL have failed to break any impasse.
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 seems 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.” he added.
According to Claire Mann, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer, the proposed four-day work week aims to modernize London Underground operations by aligning with the schedules of other rail companies.
She added, the changes will be voluntary and contractual hours will also remain the same and even the employees who agree to a five-day work week can stick to the existing pattern.
The dates of London Tubes strike
April
- Tuesday 21 to Wednesday April 22
- Thursday 23 to Friday April 24
May
- Tuesday 19 to Wednesday May 20
- Thursday 21 to Friday May 22
June
- Tuesday 16 June to Wednesday June 17
- Thursday 18 June to Friday June 19
Affected lines and services during tube strike
The commuters and travellers will not experience any disruption until mid-morning on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Soon after midday, all the lines will be disrupted and those lines which run will finish early.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, the trains that do operate will be delayed as no train will run before 7:30am. Travellers will witness significant disruption throughout the morning until midday. Even the delays are highly possible even with the resumption of services.
According to TfL, the demonstration will hit the whole Tube network. Some lines will continue the limited services with significant disruption.
The lines with no service at all include:
- Piccadilly and Circle lines
- Central line between White City and Liverpool Street
- Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate
On the contrary, Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and tram services will be operational but with busy schedules.
