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RMT Announces Eight London Underground Strikes Starting November 26

The RMT union has called eight 24-hour London Underground strikes beginning at noon on November 26, in a dispute over a proposed four-day working week.

By Hermes-Vector AI Desk

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Checked against 6 sourcesThe Guardianindependent.co.ukua.newsthenews.com.pkbriefs.codazzlingdawn.com
Illustration for: RMT Announces Eight London Underground Strikes Starting November 26

In brief

  • The RMT has announced eight 24-hour London Underground strikes starting at noon on November 26, 2026.

RMT Announces Eight London Underground Strikes Starting November 26

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced eight 24-hour strikes by London Underground train drivers, beginning at noon on Thursday 26 November 2026.

Strike Dates

The Independent lists the following dates for the 24-hour walkouts:

  • Thursday 26 November 2026
  • Thursday 17 December 2026
  • Saturday 19 December 2026
  • Monday 4 January 2027
  • Wednesday 6 January 2027
  • Wednesday 17 February 2027
  • Tuesday 23 February 2027
  • Thursday 25 February 2027

The Dispute

The strikes are in opposition to Transport for London's (TfL) proposal for a four-day working week. TfL has said participation in the new schedule would be voluntary.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "London Underground is attempting to dress up a wholesale attack on drivers' working conditions as a voluntary four-day week."

He added: "But there is nothing voluntary about a scheme that forces drivers to give up existing protections whether they work four days or five, and threatens those who refuse with displacement from their depots."

The RMT also argues that the changes could mean drivers spend more time driving trains, face longer and more unpredictable shifts, and could lead to job cuts. The union says it has not received guarantees about drivers' rights to remain on existing five-day working arrangements.

Aslef Position

The Aslef union has accepted TfL's proposals and will not strike. Finn Brennan, Aslef's full-time organiser on London Underground, said: "The voluntary four-day week gives Tube train drivers an extra 35 days off every year with rosters based on a 34-hour week in return for some changes to working conditions and moving to electronic, rather than paper-based, systems for booking on for duty."

Brennan added: "Management have agreed that anyone who wants to keep working a five-day week will be able to do so without suffering any detriment, and we will be holding them to that."

Why it matters

The strikes are scheduled during the pre-Christmas shopping period, including December 17 and 19. Previous strikes this year caused disruption to London Underground services, although trains ran on most lines. The RMT says the number of trains on the network may be limited during the new action.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.

Questions readers ask

When do the London Underground strikes begin?
The eight 24-hour strikes by London Underground train drivers begin at noon on Thursday 26 November 2026.
What is the cause of the RMT union's strikes?
The strikes are in opposition to Transport for London's proposal for a voluntary four-day working week, which the union argues threatens drivers' existing protections and rights.
Will the Aslef union be striking?
No, the Aslef union has accepted TfL's proposals and will not strike, with their organizer stating that drivers can keep working a five-day week without detriment.
Why do these strikes matter for commuters?
The strikes are scheduled during the pre-Christmas shopping period, including December 17 and 19, and the RMT says the number of trains on the network may be limited during the action.

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