Striking Transport for London (TfL) workers are demanding a 75% discount on all their rail travel, that would reportedly include taxpayer-subsidised leisure travel on mainline services outside the city, as industrial action cripples the UK’s capital. Tube drivers and other London Underground staff who are members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union have also said they should work four day weeks. Action began on Sunday as limited services ran across the city and finished early.
From today until Thursday, Tube services will be severely disrupted, with “little to no service” expected. On Tuesday and Thursday, there will also be no service on the DLR. All TfL employees – as well as one family member or partner each – already receive free travel across the network, including on buses, trains, the Underground, the DLR, the Overground, the Elizabeth Line and trams. Workers also receive a 75% reimbursement on National Rail commuting costs if they live outside London.
The Telegraph reports that a four-day week which would include a maximum of 32 working hours – would cost around £200million.
Extra staff would also need to be hired in order to keep the Tube running to their current schedule.
Nick Dent, London Underground’s director of customer operations, said the demand is “simply unaffordable”.
“It will be very damaging for us,” he added.
An RMT spokesperson told PA: “We are not going on strike to disrupt small businesses or the public.
“This strike is going ahead because of the intransigent approach of TfL management and their refusal to even consider a small reduction in the working week in order to help reduce fatigue and the ill-health effects of long-term shift work on our members.
“We believe a shorter working week is fair and affordable, particularly when you consider TfL has a surplus of £166million last year and a £10billion annual operating budget.”
Joe Ryle, campaign director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, said: “We offer our full support to the RMT leading the fight for a 32-hour working week.
“Every union that takes action to secure a shorter working week brings the four-day week closer to reality for everyone. It’s a bold and necessary stand, and these workers deserve widespread support.
“The five-day week is a century-old model that no longer reflects how we live and work today. We are long overdue an update.”