ASLEF announces tube driver strikes in April and May

ASLEF has announced that its tube driver members will strike on Monday 8 April and Saturday 4 May.

In response, a Rail Delivery Group spokesperson stated that it remains open to talks with the union, which represents 96 per cent of Britain’s train drivers.

ASLEF’s full time organiser on the London Underground, Finn Brennan, commented: “ASLEF Tube train drivers will strike in April and May in a long-running dispute over London Underground’s failure to give assurances that changes to our members’ terms and conditions will not be imposed without agreement and that all existing agreements will be honoured.

“Despite a previous commitment to withdraw plans for massive changes to drivers’ working conditions, London Underground management has established a full-time team of managers preparing to impose their plans.

“They want drivers to work longer shifts, spending up to 25 per cent more time in the cab, and to remove all current working agreements in the name of ‘flexibility and efficiency’.

“Everyone knows what these management buzz words really mean. It’s about getting people to work harder and longer for less. Management has also failed to deliver on commitments given to us on making drivers’ cabs secure, on police numbers on Night Tube and on training. Our members simply don’t believe what LU management tells them anymore. ASLEF are, as always, ready to talk, but we want to see real action from management – not easily broken promises.”

The Rail Delivery Group has responded to ASLEF’s call for fresh strikes.

A Rail Delivery Group Spokesperson said: “Nobody wins when industrial action impacts people’s lives and livelihoods, and we will work hard to minimise any disruption to our passengers.

“We want to resolve this dispute, but the ASLEF leadership need to recognise that hard-pressed taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54 million a week just to keep services running post covid. We continue to seek an agreement with the ASLEF leadership and remain open to talks to find a solution to this dispute.”

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