UMVA has learned that a bitter dispute over working hours has led to a 24-hour walkout by Underground drivers, causing widespread disruptions to travel across London on Tuesday.
The strike, which began at the start of the day, saw drivers refuse to work due to a proposed four-day working week that would see them work five days' worth of hours in four days. The RMT union, which represents the drivers, claims this would impact their welfare, while Transport for London (TfL) insists the arrangement would be voluntary.
According to information obtained by UMVA, commuters were severely affected by the strike, with many struggling to navigate the crowded streets and stations. At King's Cross Underground station, passengers were packed in tightly, trying to find ways to continue their journeys.
RMT's London lead, Jared Wood, has warned that further strikes are possible if negotiations fail to produce a resolution. When asked if another strike was on the cards, Mr. Wood said it would be up to RMT representatives and the union's national executive to decide what happens next.
He revealed that discussions are planned for next week, but accused TfL of being 'unreasonable' in their demands. The dispute centers on the impact of the proposed working hours on drivers' welfare, with the union arguing that it would be unsensible and unreasonable to expect drivers to work long hours without breaks.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that TfL claims 60% of Tube drivers showed up to work on the first strike day, but Mr. Wood disputes this, saying major routes like Piccadilly and Metropolitan lines didn't run or barely ran through central London. The transport authority said it was able to run a train every four to six minutes on most Tube lines on Tuesday.
A TfL spokesperson said safety is their top priority and that they are confident they could resolve the issues if the RMT committed to working through the details of their proposals. However, Mr. Wood remains skeptical, saying the union will not back down unless TfL agrees to renegotiate the terms of the proposal.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the strike has had a significant impact on travel, with bus usage surging by 5% on Tuesday and London Underground usage down by 41%. The Elizabeth line, however, saw a 19% increase in usage.
The RMT union is adamant that it is not about pay, but about whether it is reasonable for drivers to work long hours without breaks. As the dispute continues, commuters are bracing themselves for further disruptions to their daily travel.
