RMT strikes re: 4 day week

[Thirteen]

LUL should postpone 4DW until there is a agreed consensus from all sides but I assume that ship has sailed.

 

[leonie13]

That shouldn't be too baffling. ASLEF is (quite right IMO) doing exactly what it's members want! I don't really buy into the "the other side is bad" argument.

Each union has its merits, but if I was an ASLEF member and ASLEF considered anyone but train drivers I'd be furious as it's literally what it says on its advertising material.

Generally speaking, any grade or union that thinks their own aims/goals/objectives are more important than any other grade, and would happily accept any deal at the expense of another, is utterly selfish and yes... that IS baffling to me.

 

[bluegoblin7]

Generally speaking, any grade or union that thinks their own aims/goals/objectives are more important than any other grade, and would happily accept any deal at the expense of another, is utterly selfish and yes... that IS baffling to me.

I don't think this dispute is at the expense of any other grade, if I'm honest. Whilst the 4DW might have an impact on other staff in due course, it doesn't right now. There are several other grade-specific disputes over the last decade that could have also been viewed as 'at the expense of other grades'.

Ultimately, if the 4DW was a big issue to station staff, service control, technical staff, depot staff etc they could have indicated this as part of the combine-wide jobs, pensions and agreements ballot. That was a fairly resounding 'no' vote.

I certainly don't feel that this issue affects me at all in service control. We (and whilst I don't speak for service control or the RMT, I do have my ear very close to the ground here) generally have no desire for a 4DW.

 

[Mawkie]

Just as an update: after the last round of strike action, and subsequent Reps meeting (after consultation with the membership) it was decided to engage with LU's requested 7-10 week timescale to progress to the next stage of planning for the 4DW. No further strike action is currently proposed during this period of time.

At the same meeting, it was decided to reballot members; this will give RMT members a formal method of letting their feelings be known on the matter, and remind LU that RMT is still in dispute with them. If this re-ballot is successful, after the recent change in the law, the mandate would last for 12 months.

Although I'm personally disappointed with the decision to make no further announcement regarding strike action, I recognise the meeting represented the feelings of members from across the combine.

 

[whoosh]

For me the key point is choice. If someone wants to stay on the current 5DW, fair enough, that should be protected. But I don’t see why that should mean blocking everyone else from having the option of a 4DW. I don't know why RMT won't just sit down and talk and try get the answers.

If LU say to me that the 4DW is entirely voluntary, and that I won't suffer any detriment by staying on my current terms and conditions, then let's bring it on.

This is the thing though, LU are saying people can remain on 5 day week, but is less clear on whether all the other parameters of earliest start/latest finish, when a break can be placed in a shift etc. on old 5DW contract or new 4DW one. It isn't just a case of how many days at work but the contractual changes to facilitate a 4DW that is the sticking point with RMT.

I think RMT have tried to get answers to be fair.

It seems if you're against it then you believe the RMT spin in totality and if you’re for it then you believe everything ASLEF is pushing whereas the truth is somewhere in between.

There is an awful lot of bull**** out there surrounding this deal and it’s worth trying to seek out the terms (as they stand) for yourself and treat all the guff put out by the unions with a healthy dose of scepticism as it’s seems at the moment that getting one over on the ‘other lot’ is taking precedence.

There is stuff to like in the deal and stuff that isn’t. No deal will be perfect and it should also be viewed as platform for further change down the line. If we can get it in drivers today, why can’t we get it in for station staff tomorrow? type thing.

Yes. I believe there has been conflation with compressed workweek 4DW on Jubilee Line from a few years ago, which was basically ALL days at work were around 9h30 - which reads like a horror story to some. Also the 'Trains Change' proposals from 2023 - some elements of which have been taken forward in this 4DW offer, but others haven't been.
It's no wonder confusion and rumours about details have muddied the waters.

 

[Mawkie]

The RMT ballot has returned a positive result.

Our Ref: LUL/0004



13th August 2026



Dear RMT Member,



4-DAY WORKING WEEK & TRAINS FUNCTIONAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATION - LONDON UNDERGROUND



I write to advise you that the ballot has now closed and the result is as follows:



Are you prepared to take strike action?



Number of individuals who were entitled to vote in the ballot: 1719

Number of votes cast in the ballot: 1050

Number of individuals answering “Yes” to the question: 937

Number of individuals answering “No” to the question: 112

Number of spoiled or otherwise invalid voting papers returned: 1



Are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike?



Number of individuals who were entitled to vote in the ballot: 1719

Number of votes cast in the ballot: 1050

Number of individuals answering “Yes” to the question: 978

Number of individuals answering “No” to the question: 71

Number of spoiled or otherwise invalid voting papers returned: 1



Both of the above results exceed the required thresholds and the National Executive Committee has wholeheartedly congratulated members on delivering a ballot mandate for strike action and action short of a strike. I am now seeking an updated report on the matter from your Regional Organiser.



I will keep you advised of all further developments.

Yours sincerely,



Eddie Dempsey
General Secretary

 

[boiledbeans2]

The RMT ballot has returned a positive result.

Positive for LU RMT members. Negative for the rest of the London.