London Underground drivers to strike in April and May, says Aslef

The union says drivers will strike on 8 April and 4 May

London Underground drivers who are members of the Aslef union are set to go on strike in April and May.

The train drivers' union said members would walk out for 24 hours on 8 April and 4 May after 98% of its drivers voted in favour of action. The union added there was a 70% ballot turnout.

Finn Brennan, of Aslef, said the action was part of a "long-running dispute".

Transport for London (TfL) said it had been in "long-term discussions" with union staff.

Aslef's Mr Brennan said: "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% more time in the cab, and to remove all current working agreements.

'No plans' for changes

"It's about getting people to work harder and longer for less.

"Aslef are, as always, ready to talk, but we want to see real action from management - not easily broken promises."

A TfL spokesperson said it had been speaking to union staff about "how to modernise procedures and processes on London Underground".

"We have no plans to impose these changes and have committed to no-one losing their job as part of these changes," the spokesperson said.

"We have engaged with our unions to demonstrate that no change will be made that compromises our steadfast commitment to safety on the Tube network.

"We urge Aslef to continue discussions with us so that disruption for Londoners can be averted."

Analysis by Tom Edwards, BBC London's transport correspondent:

When Aslef go out on a Tube strike, there is significant disruption as many drivers won't go to work. Sometimes no Tube lines can run at all.

This isn't a dispute about pay though. It's a dispute about London Underground failing to guarantee there won't be changes to working conditions.

Drivers fear they will be required to work longer hours and there will be changes to already agreed working conditions.

If pay isn't the issue, that does mean sometimes these issues can be resolved through talks, although this has been going on for a year.

The union has also picked a date close to the mayoral and local elections to go on strike.

The aim of that is to put pressure on management to come to an agreement. It will also mean the dispute will be very much in the headlines in the run up to the elections. You'd expect talks to now resume.

The announcement follows a one-day strike in March last year, the union said.

Aslef also announced fresh wave of train driver strikes at 16 rail companies.

It said it would hold a rolling programme of one-day walkouts between 5 April and 8 April, coupled with a six-day ban on overtime.

The 8 April strike coincides with the London Underground drivers strike.

It will impact c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line and depot drivers, and SWR Island Line.

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