London Tube schedules four strikes May–June

Time Out reported on May 18 that four additional strike periods are set to disrupt London Underground travel across eight days in May and June, extending a dispute that already led to two April walkouts. Transport for London said some Tube drivers represented by the RMT union plan to strike from midday on May 19 to midday on May 20, again from midday on May 21 to midday on May 22, then on the same pattern from June 16 to 17 and June 18 to 19. The action is tied to a dispute over a voluntary four-day working pattern for Tube drivers, according to TfL. National Rail has also warned that industrial action on the Underground will affect some rail journeys in London. ### Which dates are affected, and how long do the strikes last? Transport for London said the four strike periods are scheduled for May 19-20, May 21-22, June 16-17 and June 18-19. TfL’s strikes page says each stoppage runs from 12:00 midday to 12:00 midday the following day, though disruption is expected to continue into the afternoons and evenings on strike days. Time Out’s May 18 guide said those four stoppages amount to eight calendar days of disruption when the start and spillover periods are counted. The publication said the latest action follows two earlier April walkouts in the same dispute. ### How much of the Tube network is expected to be hit? TfL said service is expected on most Tube lines during the May action, but customers are likely to face disruption on all Tube lines. The agency did not say every line would close, but it warned that service levels would vary and that journeys would take longer. National Rail said industrial action on the Underground from May 19 to May 22 could affect London rail journeys that connect with Tube services. Its incident notice advised passengers to check current disruptions and keep tickets if they plan to claim compensation for delays. ### What is the dispute about? TfL said the RMT called the action over objections to Tube drivers being allowed to work a voluntary four-day week. Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, said in a May press release that the proposal is “designed to improve work-life balance” and is entirely voluntary. Time Out, citing the dispute background in its coverage, said the union argues that London Underground management is trying to compress a normal working week into four days. TfL said many of the objections raised by the RMT could be resolved through further work with unions, but said the union had chosen to proceed with more industrial action. ### Which services are expected to keep running? Time Out said the London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, Elizabeth line and most London buses are expected to operate as normal during the strike periods. TfL’s May advisory similarly said most other TfL services, including the Elizabeth line and London Overground, are expected to run, though they will be busier than usual. TfL’s Tube page and live status pages show that service conditions can change by line and by hour. That means a route that is open in the morning may still face delays later in the day as strike-related disruption moves through the network. ### Where should commuters check before traveling? TfL said passengers should use the TfL Go app, Journey Planner, live Tube and rail status pages, and its strikes page for updated travel advice. The agency said those pages will be updated regularly as the strike dates approach and during the action itself. National Rail said passengers making rail connections in London should also check its incident and alerts pages for current service information. Time Out’s guide published on May 18 lists the affected dates, outlines alternative travel options and links readers to official updates. ### What happens next? May 19 is the next scheduled start date for the first of the four strike periods, with action due to begin at 12:00 midday, according to TfL. After the May stoppages, the next planned walkouts are set for June 16-17 and June 18-19, and TfL and National Rail both said travelers should monitor their live information pages for line-by-line updates.