by an RMT member
Tube drivers in the RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union) will be striking over four days from 21 April to oppose the imposition of a compressed working week, with longer shifts, longer spells of driving between breaks, short notice changes of duties, and a massive restriction on the right to transfer locations.
Management is trying to sell the plan as a four-day week, but RMT drivers have seen it for what it is. The proposal runs to many pages and will impact on almost every aspect of tube drivers’ working life. RMT members rejected it in a referendum by more than 9:1.
RMT represents about half of all tube drivers. The Aslef trade union also represents half. Regrettably, Aslef has accepted the compressed-working proposal, although a majority of all drivers, across both unions, opposed it.
Tube management had agreed to review the proposal and negotiate on all elements of it. But, so far, no revised proposals have been made. Unless this changes in the days before the scheduled strikes, the action will go ahead with picket lines at tube depots across the network.