{
  "id": 18494606,
  "title": "Fresh tube strikes planned over four months",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/fresh-tube-strikes-planned-over-four-months",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T11:11:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/fresh-tube-strikes-planned-over-four-months/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A series of planned tube strikes are set to occur between November and February as unionized train drivers protest proposed four-day working week arrangements. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) announced that tube drivers will embark on industrial action for a total of eight days, starting on Thursday, November 26th. The rolling 24-hour tube strikes are the latest form of industrial action in response to Transport for London's (TfL) voluntary four-day work week proposals. Under TfL's plans, drivers have the option to opt in and work for four days instead of the standard five. RMT unionists argue that the proposed reduction in working hours will result in longer shifts, including earlier starts and later finishes, as well as shifts subject to short notice changes. The planned strike dates are: Thursday, November 26th, 2026; Thursday, December 17th, 2026; Saturday, December 19th, 2026; Monday, January 4th, 2027; Wednesday, January 6th, 2027; Wednesday, February 17th, 2027; Tuesday, February 23rd, 2027; and Thursday, February 25th, 2027. The RMT believes that the working rights of tube drivers will be compromised, with some drivers fearing that the change could lead to \"hundreds of job cuts\" following published staffing plans for the Bakerloo line. RMT chief Eddie Dempsey urged London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, the chairman of TfL, to withdraw the proposals, stating that London Underground is attempting to portray the measures as a voluntary four-day week when, in fact, they force drivers to forfeit existing protections and threaten those who refuse with displacement from their depots. The union opposes a genuine four-day working week that benefits its members, but will not accept it as a means to cut jobs, intensify working conditions, and erode terms and conditions. The upcoming round of strikes is likely to cause frustration among businesses in the city that rely on commuters traveling to London's high streets. The previous strikes took place in June, while industrial action in May was suspended after last-minute talks with TfL. TfL and the mayor of London have been asked for comment.",
  "summary": "A series of tube strikes have been planned between November and February as unionised train drivers hit out at four-day working week proposals. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has announced that tube drivers will launch industrial action for a total of eight days, starting on Thursday 26 November. The rolling [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}