London Underground drivers will walk out twice this week, as commuters are set to face huge delays.
The first 24-hour stoppage begins at midday tomorrow, with a second walkout commencing at noon on Thursday.
An RMT spokesman said: “Despite promises of talks, TfL has not made any attempt to engage in negotiation meetings to resolve this dispute.”
The union accused London Underground of “pushing implementation plans through a forum that excludes senior managers and union officials, instead of engaging in proper negotiations.”
TfL called the industrial action “disappointing” and said drivers could choose to remain on their existing five-day schedule.
Passengers can expect no service whatsoever on the Circle and Piccadilly lines during the strikes, as these routes have a higher proportion of RMT members among their drivers.
Sections of the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate will also be shut, along with the Central line stretch from White City to Liverpool Street.
TfL has warned that while other Underground lines will continue operating, travellers should anticipate significant disruption throughout the affected periods.
London Underground drivers will walk out twice this week after negotiations between the RMT union and Transport for London broke down
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PAOn strike days, services will wind down from mid-morning, with widespread delays across the network from noon onwards.
Any trains still running will finish earlier than usual.
The following mornings will see late starts, with no Tube services expected before 7.30am.
The dispute stems from TfL’s proposal to compress the current 36-hour working week from five days into four, reducing total hours to 35 while eliminating one paid lunch break.
The first 24-hour stoppage begins at midday on Tuesday May 19
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PARMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey has argued that extended shifts could cause driver fatigue and endanger passengers.
The union is instead demanding a 32-hour week spread across four days.
The rival Aslef union has accepted TfL’s offer, with a spokesperson describing it as “exactly the sort of deal every trade union should be trying to achieve.”
Aslef noted the scheme would give participating drivers an extra 35 days off annually.
Two further rounds of strikes are already scheduled for June 16-17 and June 18-19 if no agreement is reached
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The Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, buses and trams will run normally throughout the strikes.
These services are expected to be considerably busier as commuters seek alternatives.
This week’s action follows the April walkouts, which were revealed to be the union’s weakest industrial action in recent memory.
Two further rounds of strikes are already scheduled for June 16-17 and June 18-19 if no agreement is reached.