RMT strike causes less disruption on London Underground this week

This week's RMT strike on the London Underground is causing much less disruption than previous actions. Over half of services ran normally on Tuesday, as only RMT train drivers, not all drivers, participated.
By Newsroom | Transport, London |

LONDON – This week's actions by the RMT union on the London Underground appear to represent the least effective wave of industrial action in recent memory, with official figures indicating that over half of scheduled services ran normally across all lines on Tuesday. This outcome stands in stark contrast to previous disputes where broader participation crippled the network.

The reduced impact stems from a key division within the Tube workforce: only train drivers who are members of the RMT union participated in the latest walkouts. This is a significant shift from September, when all 10,000 of the RMT's members participated. The Aslef union, representing a larger contingent of Tube drivers, has not joined the RMT's picket lines. This division means a substantial portion of the workforce continues to operate services.

The core of the dispute remains the RMT's demand for a 32-hour working week without a pay reduction. This clashes with Transport for London's (TfL) proposed reforms, which include a voluntary 35-hour week and a four-day week option. TfL frames these changes as necessary for "improving reliability and flexibility at no additional cost," while also aligning with working patterns at other train operating companies.

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The RMT, however, criticizes TfL's stance, with union general secretary Eddie Dempsey stating that "TfL seem unwilling to make any concessions." Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, has emphasized that the proposed reforms would allow for an additional day off for drivers.

The latest strike action, which began midday Tuesday and was scheduled to continue, has seen significantly reduced services on most lines. Specific lines, like the Piccadilly and Circle lines, were expected to face complete shutdowns, and some sections, such as the Central line between White City and Aldgate, were also impacted. No last-minute talks were scheduled between TfL and union officials, deepening the impasse.

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Past strikes, such as those in September 2025, had a far more pervasive effect. Those walkouts led to the rescheduling of major events, including Coldplay concerts at Wembley Stadium, due to concerns over transporting tens of thousands of attendees. The broader impact of Tube strikes has been highlighted by groups like BusinessLDN, which points to damage to the capital's "global reputation."

The current situation highlights a fragmentation of union power and a specific focus on driver working hours, rather than the widespread industrial action seen previously. The effectiveness of future RMT actions may hinge on its ability to secure broader support across different transport worker groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the RMT strike causing less disruption on the London Underground this week?
This week's strike action by the RMT union is causing less disruption because only train drivers who are members of the RMT are striking. This is a smaller group compared to previous strikes where more union members participated.
Q: What are the RMT union's demands?
The RMT union is demanding a 32-hour working week without any reduction in pay. They are in disagreement with Transport for London's (TfL) proposed reforms.
Q: What are Transport for London's (TfL) proposals?
TfL is proposing changes that include a voluntary 35-hour week and an option for a four-day week. TfL states these changes are needed for better reliability and flexibility without extra costs.
Q: Which London Underground lines are most affected by the strike?
While disruption is less than before, some lines like the Piccadilly and Circle lines were expected to have complete shutdowns. Parts of the Central line, between White City and Aldgate, were also impacted.
Q: How does this strike compare to previous RMT actions?
Previous strikes, like those in September 2025, caused much more widespread disruption, affecting major events. This current action has a more limited impact due to fewer workers participating.