Story perspectives

London Tube RMT Strikes Halt Lines Over Four-Day Week

6/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

RMT drivers walked out on the London Underground on 3 June and 5 June 2026 to block a voluntary four-day workweek.
The strike, which shut Circle, Piccadilly, Metropolitan and Central lines, left Transport for London (TfL) running half of services before 06:30 BST and none after 21:00 BST.
TfL’s plan would cut the roster to 35 hours over four days, a change RMT says could raise fatigue and jeopardise safety, while Aslef backs voluntary four-day week.

History

Historical Context

In 1978 Prime Minister James Callaghan’s government imposed a four-day, 35-hour workweek, with the Trades Union Congress representing about 2.5 million workers and expecting a 15 percent electricity cut. The experiment sparked industrial unrest during the 1970s, a decade marked by widespread strikes. The June 2026 RMT drivers’ walkout, backed by Aslef, echoes that legacy as unions again challenge reduced-hour rosters.

1 of 2

Story summary

RMT drivers walked out on the London Underground on 3 June and 5 June 2026 to block a voluntary four-day workweek.
The strike, which shut Circle, Piccadilly, Metropolitan and Central lines, left Transport for London (TfL) running half of services before 06:30 BST and none after 21:00 BST.
TfL’s plan would cut the roster to 35 hours over four days, a change RMT says could raise fatigue and jeopardise safety, while Aslef backs voluntary four-day week.

1 / 2