London Tube drivers to strike eight times over TfL's voluntary four-day week

The RMT union has called eight 24-hour strikes by London Underground drivers, on 26 November, 17 and 19 December, 4 and 6 January, and 17, 23 and 25 February, against Transport for London’s opt-in four-day week. The arrangement is a 34-hour roster with 35 extra days off a year. RMT says it means longer shifts and could lead to job cuts; the other drivers’ union, ASLEF, supports it (RMT; BBC).

Why this matters

A four-day week is usually presented as a straightforward gain for workers. This dispute shows the detail decides it: compressing the same hours into fewer, longer days suits some people and not others, and a voluntary scheme can still change rosters for everyone around it. If you are offered a compressed week, check the daily hours, not just the number of days.

What to watch: whether talks avert the first strike on 26 November. If you travel in London on those dates, plan around them.