Tube Drivers Back Strike Action Over Proposed Four Day Week on Bakerloo Line

London Underground drivers who are members of the RMT union have voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over Transport for London’s proposed four day working week for drivers on the Bakerloo line.

No strike dates have been announced, but the union has confirmed that members are prepared to walk out if the plans are not reconsidered. Under UK law, the RMT must provide at least two weeks notice before any industrial action takes place.

The dispute centres on TfL’s proposal to introduce a voluntary four day working week for Tube drivers on the Bakerloo line. According to TfL, the change would not reduce contractual hours and drivers who prefer to remain on a traditional five day schedule would still be able to do so.

However, the RMT argues that the plan could lead to condensed shifts, unpredictable working patterns and increased fatigue, raising potential safety concerns on the network. A union spokesperson said members would not accept changes that they believe could compromise driver welfare or passenger safety.

The RMT said a majority of Tube drivers who were consulted rejected the proposal and warned that industrial action would follow if TfL did not change course. The union added that it was now up to the transport authority to take members’ concerns seriously and engage in meaningful negotiations.

TfL maintains that the four day working week would improve operational flexibility and reliability without increasing costs. A spokesperson said discussions with trade unions had begun last year to explore how best to implement the new pattern. The authority believes the changes would help modernise working arrangements and allow it to deploy drivers more efficiently across services.

The Bakerloo line has faced reliability challenges in recent years, partly due to ageing rolling stock and staffing pressures. TfL says the proposed shift pattern could support a more stable timetable and improve service consistency for passengers.

Industrial relations on the London Underground have been tense at various points over pay, pensions and working conditions. Previous strike action has led to widespread disruption across the capital, affecting commuters and businesses.

If strike dates are confirmed, it could create significant travel disruption for Londoners, particularly those reliant on the Bakerloo line for daily commutes through central London and into the northwest of the city.

Talks between TfL and the RMT are expected to continue in the coming days as both sides attempt to resolve the dispute. With no formal strike dates yet announced, attention will now turn to whether negotiations can prevent further disruption on one of London’s busiest transport networks.