Sadiq Khan urges deal as Tfl Strikes set for May 19

tfl strikes are set to go ahead next week, with two 24-hour walkouts due to begin at midday on Tuesday, May 19 and again on Thursday, May 21. The RMT says it is pressing ahead after accusing Transport for London of failing to engage in negotiations.

The disruption is expected to spill across four working days. Sadiq Khan said earlier this week, "My message to the RMT and TfL is to sort it out."

RMT and TfL talks

The union said, "Despite promises of talks, TfL has not made any attempt to engage in negotiation meetings to resolve this dispute." It also said, "London Underground is still pushing implementation plans through a forum that excludes senior managers and union officials, instead of engaging in proper negotiations."

TfL responded that the RMT was "planning this strike action despite our best efforts to resolve this dispute." Crisis talks were set to go ahead this week, but no meeting to directly discuss the industrial action was set up.

Four-day working week dispute

The dispute follows industrial action in April over TfL proposals for a four-day working week for most drivers. TfL says the working week would fall from 36 to 35 hours over four days, with the changes voluntary and contractual hours unchanged because of paid meal breaks.

The RMT says the changes could increase fatigue and compromise safety, and it is demanding a 32-hour, four-day week. Aslef has accepted the plan and is not planning strike action.

With two walkouts set to begin during the same week, passengers using London Underground services face disruption across the working week unless the union and TfL reach a settlement before Tuesday.