During a seconnd Tube strike in early June, a London Underground union representative reportedly told a meeting that the work iPads supplied to drivers were too small to watch Netflix , a claim that has sparked debate on rail forums and raised questions about the role of technology in the dispute over a four‑day work week.

RMT Walkouts Over a Four‑Day Week Shake Up London Transit

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) staged walkouts on Tuesday and Thursday after last‑ditch talks with Transport for London (TfL) failed to resolve a dispute over a proposed four‑day working week for Underground drivers. The strikes caused full suspensions on the Circle and Waterloo & City lines and partial suspensions on the Bakerloo, Central, Metropolitan, Northern and Piccadilly lines, while other lines experienced delays.. TfL said over 60% of drivers reported for work on Tuesday, mitigating the impact of the first strike.

Tablet Talk: The Alleged Netflix Complaint and Its Uncertainty

According to the source, a former conductor now in middle management complained that the screen of the iPads was too small to watch Netflix. The RMT declined to comment, and it remains unclear whether the rep was serious or joking. TfL has been approached for a response, and the union’s general secretary, Eddie Dempsey,was spotted at a barbecue while meeting members at the Arnos Grove picket line.

Impact on Passengers and the City’s Footfall

Passengers were advised to complete journeys by 9 PM, with normal service expected to resume on Friday. O2’s anonymised mobile data showed footfall down 12% at King’s Cross, 11% at Westminster, 9% in the City and 5% in the West End on the strike Thursday. TfL noted that Oyster and contactless taps were only down by about 10% on Tuesday, and the Jubilee line achieved nearly 90% of normally scheduled miles.

Guide Dogs Raises Safety Concerns for Visually Impaired During Strikes

Guide Dogs, a leading sight‑loss charity, highlighted additional challenges for people with visual impairments during the strikes. Clive Wood warned that changes to usual routes and increased traffic make it harder for those with sight loss to navigate,especially when e‑bikes are parked incorrectly or in large groups.

Who Is the Unnamed Representative? The Question That Remains

It remains unclear which union the representative belonged to or whether the comment was serious or a joke. The RMT declined to comment, and TfL has yet to provide a response. The incident has sparked debate on rail forums, with one post remarking, “Honestly, as much as I’m for unions, sometimes the reps just don’t help themselves.”