The Huffington Post
Two new Underground strikes have been confirmed this June, weeks after previous planned strikes were cancelled. Recently, two National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) Tube strikes set for May 19 and 21 were called off “at the 11th hour”. June 16 and 18 strikes, which had also been set by the RMT, were abandoned too. But now, two other 24-hour blocks are planned for the month. When will the new Tube strikes take place? These are set for: Tuesday 2 June from 00:01 to 23:59 Thursday 4 June from 00:01 to 23:59. Which lines will be affected? Per Transport for London (TfL)’s site, there isn’t expected to be any service on the: Circle line, Piccadilly line, Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate, Central line between White City and Liverpool Street on these days. While TfL expects other lines to run on these days, they warn that there will probably be “disruptions” across the entire network. They said there could be “limited services before 06:30 on both days,” and that “Customers should complete their journeys before 21:00 on both days”. Why are these strikes happening? The RMT ran strikes earlier this year after a four-day work week was trialled on the Bakerloo line. They had other strikes planned for late May and early June, too. The four-day week trials were introduced on an optional basis after another union body, the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) , campaigned for the option. Previously, the RMT said that this new structure basically amounted to packing five days’ work into four in a way which might affect the safety of their drivers and passengers. They also said the changes could reduce flexibility and gave “the potential for only 24 hours’ notice of what shifts people will be doing”. They wanted TfL to confirm in writing that their drivers could stick with their “current shift patterns and agreed terms and conditions” if they wanted to, too. The RMT expressed that “the fact that Transport for London has made no new offer despite months of negotiation” left them “no other choice than to take strike action”. TfL’s response mentioned the fact that the trials were optional. But the former planned strikes, which had been called off and were set for multiple dates in May and June, were cancelled at the last minute on 18 May. An RMT spokesperson said this was because “the employer has shifted its position, allowing us to further explore our members’ concerns around the imposition of new rosters, fatigue and safety issues.” But they warned at the time that “The dispute is not over, and more strike action will follow if we fail to make sufficient progress”. They proposed the June 2 and 4 dates at that time and said these would become strike days if they remained unsatisfied. The RMT has since said , “Strike action by London Underground drivers next week is scheduled to go ahead following TfL’s continued refusal to engage meaningfully with the union’s concerns over the proposed compressed four-day working arrangements. “Our members have raised serious concerns around fatigue, longer shifts, reduced flexibility and the impact these proposals could have in a safety-critical role.” In response, TfL’s chief operating officer, Claire Mann, said : “We still believe that the points they have raised can be worked out in time, through more detailed discussions and we are continuing to talk to the union’s representatives to find a way to avoid disruption to London. “A significant number of drivers have indicated that they want us to progress plans for the pilot of this new working pattern on the Bakerloo line, bringing benefits both for our colleagues and our customers.” Related... What You Need To Know About Why London Tube Drivers Are On Strike Tube Map Of Horrors Unearths London's Most Haunted Underground Stations I Just Learned Why The Tube Really Gets So Hot, And It's Not Why I Thought
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