Severe disruption is expected acrossLondon's Underground networkas a series ofstrikes threatens to interrupt daily journeysfor thousands of commuters. Here's what you can expect.
Commuters in London will face disruption after train drivers announced strike action on the Underground network across several dates in March, April, and May. The industrial action will take place over 12 days in total and will involve members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, commonly known as the RMT. The first strike is scheduled to begin at 12 PM on 24 March 2026 and continue until 11:59 AM on 25 March 2026.
The action follows a dispute over plans by Transport for London to introduce a voluntary four-day working week for Tube drivers. Under the proposal, drivers would work slightly longer daily shifts but complete their standard hours across four days instead of five. The RMT said many of its members rejected the proposal and voted in favour of strike action last month.
The union statedthat the dispute centres on concerns about working patterns and the effect longer shifts may have on fatigue and safety. It also said the compressed working week plan had already been rejected by a majority of train operators.
Strike action will occur during six separate 24-hour periods across three months. Each strike begins at midday and continues until 11:59 AM the following day. The first two strikes will take place on 24–25 March 2026 and 26–27 March 2026.
Further strikes are scheduled in April. Drivers will walk out from 12 PM on 21 April 2026 until 11:59 AM on 22 April 2026. Another strike will follow from 12 PM on 23 April 2026 until 11:59 AM on 24 April 2026.
Two additional strikes are planned in May. These will run from 12 PM on 19 May 2026 until 11:59 AM on 20 May 2026, and again from 12 PM on 21 May 2026 until 11:59 AM on 22 May 2026. During these periods, services across the Underground network are expected to face delays and reduced operations.
The RMT said its members have serious concerns about the proposed change to working arrangements. The union stated that the new plan would compress a normal working week into four days. According to the union, drivers would work longer daily shifts if the proposal were implemented.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey addressed the issue in a public statement. He said, 'London Underground is trying to force through major changes to working patterns that have already been rejected by our members.' He also stated that the dispute remains unresolved despite earlier discussions between the union and management.
The union has said the primary concerns relate to shift length and fatigue. According to the RMT, longer working days could raise safety concerns for drivers operating trains on the Underground network. These issues were raised after union members voted in favour of the industrial action last month.
Source: International Business Times UK
