Planned strikes on the London Underground later this month have been suspended after the RMT union agreed to enter fresh talks with London Underground management — but the union has made clear the underlying dispute is far from finished.
The walkouts, which had been scheduled to run from Tuesday 24 March through to Friday 27 March, will no longer go ahead after both sides indicated a willingness to return to the negotiating table. However, the RMT stressed the broader disagreement has not been settled, and passengers should not assume the disruption is over.
Strike action pencilled in for April remains firmly in place, and the union has now added two further dates — 16 and 18 June — to the calendar, signalling it is prepared to escalate if talks fail to produce results.
What Are Tube Drivers Actually Striking Over?
At the heart of the dispute is a proposal from London Underground to move most drivers onto a condensed four-day working week. Under the plans, weekly hours would be cut from 36 to 35, with the difference made up through the introduction of paid meal breaks. In practice, this means drivers would work longer individual shifts while clocking fewer total days per week.
London Underground has described the arrangement as a voluntary trial, currently being tested on the Bakerloo line to assess whether it is workable across the network.
The RMT has rejected the offer outright. The union argues the longer shifts would put excessive strain on drivers, raising concerns over fatigue and, ultimately, passenger safety. In its place, the RMT is pushing for a 32-hour four-day week — three fewer hours per week than under the current arrangement — with no reduction in pay.
Both Sides Cautiously Positive
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said the union had pushed management into a place where they are “now willing to seriously engage” with members’ concerns, adding that further talks are planned and the dispute remains active.
Nick Dent from London Underground welcomed the suspension of the late-March strikes, describing it as good news for the capital and saying the organisation would continue working constructively with trade unions to prevent disruption.
What Happens Next
Formal negotiations between the RMT and London Underground management are expected to take place in the coming weeks. Whether those talks are enough to head off the April walkouts — and the newly announced June dates — will depend on whether the two sides can bridge the gap over working hours. Commuters are being advised to monitor travel updates ahead of the remaining strike dates.
