London Tube strikes announced as Aslef union workers to walk out in April and May

London commuters will face disruption in April and May following the Aslef Union announcing new dates for Underground walk-outs.

Aslef said tube drivers in the union backed strikes on Monday 8 April and Saturday 4 May. The union added it voted 98 per cent in favour, on a 70 per cent turnout.

This comes after London Mayor Sadiq Khan had drummed up an extra £30m for Tube unions, successfully preventing a week’s worth of walk-outs earlier in the year.

He was then accused of being misleading over the £30m cash he put forward – which he refused to confirm – but which later appeared in City Hall’s draft budget for 2024-25 – at the time it was reported.

The London Mayoral election takes place on 2 May.

Finn Brennan, ASLEF’s full-time organiser on London Underground, said: “‘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.”

Sadiq Khan, who promised no strikes on the tube upon his election, is well ahead in the polls for the London mayoral election. He faces a main challenge from Tory hopeful Susan Hall.

Hall told City A.M.: “Clearly Sadiq Khan’s £30m bung to stop the trade unions from striking wasn’t enough, and now Londoners face even more disruption. We have had over 100 strikes under Sadiq Khan, after he promised zero.

“As Mayor, I will listen to Londoners and take a firm but fair approach to the unions, securing the best deal for commuters, taxpayers and workers.”

Transport for London and the Mayor of London has been asked for comment.

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