London Underground drivers are set to walk out from tomorrow through Friday after the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union voted down a proposed four‑day week. The strike will affect key lines, including the Circle, Piccadilly, Metropolitan and Central routes, and follows failed negotiations with Transport for London (TfL).

RMT members reject four‑day week plan

The militant wing of the RMT voted against a condensed‑hours schedule that would cut the average driver’s week from 36 to 35 hours.. Union chief Eddie Dempsey warned the scheme could increase faatigue and jeopardise safety, a claim that TfL has dismissed as unfounded. According to the source, the vote reflects deep‑seated opposition within the union despite a three‑year pay deal accepted in November.

TfL insists four‑day schedule is voluntary amid safety warnings

Transport for London maintains the new timetable is optional and designed to improve work‑life balance. Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, called the walkouts “absolutely unnecessary” and reiterated that drivers can remain on a five‑day pattern if they wish. The agency’s stance, as reported, underscores a broader clash between management’s flexibility agenda and the RMT’s safety concerns.

Two 24‑hour strikes set to halt Circle, Piccadilly and Metropolitan lines

Two 24‑hour strikes will run from 12 p.m. tomorrow into Wednesday and repeat the same window on Thursday‑Friday, suspending service on the Circle line, Piccadilly line, and the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate,plus the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street. The source notes that Aslef, the rival train drivers’ union, has accepted the four‑day proposal, highlighting a split among London’s rail workforce.

Business and commuter fallout predicted after last month’s strike

Hundreds of thousands of commuters will be forced to walk, cycle or use buses, likely reproducing the disruption seen during last month’s strike backed by the Green Party. Pub chains reported one of their lowest trading days, and hospitality firms warned bookings could fall by up to two‑thirds. the source indicates that such economic knock‑on effects could intensify pressure on both TfL and the RMT.

Will any drivers opt into the new schedule?

While the RMT has called for a full walkout, the source mentions that not all drivers share the union’s objection; some may still choose the four‑day pattern. The extent of voluntary uptake remains unclear, leaving TfL uncertain whether the plan could ever be implemented without further industrial action.