Train drivers at 16 rail companies are to stage a fresh wave of strikes and a six-day overtime ban in a long-running dispute over pay, threatening more travel chaos for passengers across the country.
Aslef announced that London Underground drivers will strike on April 8 and May 4 in a long-running dispute over terms and conditions.
Aslef drivers account for 96 per cent of train drivers in England, Scotland and Wales.
Finn Brennan, the union’s organiser on LU, said the company had failed to give assurances that changes to terms and conditions will not be imposed without agreement.
The rail union Aslef has announced the fresh set of tube strikes
PAHe 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 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."
Aslef drivers have voted by 98 per cent in favour of strikes. They went on strike a year ago in the same dispute.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Tube strikes are set to take placePAEarlier this year members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) were due to walk out, however action was called off at the last minute after progress in talks with Transport for London (TfL).
The new strikes will mark the second and third days of action by Aslef on this issue. The union also took to the picket lines for one day in March last year.
A TfL spokesperson said: "We have been in long-term discussions with our trade union colleagues on how to modernise procedures and processes on London Underground to improve the experience both for staff and customers.
"We have no plans to impose these changes and have committed to no one losing their job as part of these changes, and 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."
Aslef announced the next round of strikes for April and May
PA
The strike does not involve train drivers on the Elizabeth Line, who are covered by a separate agreement.
Services on London Overground and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) should also run as normal, though with crowding expected.
Buses are also expected to be crowded on the strike dates.