8 Tube Strikes Kick Off In A Couple Of Weeks: Every 2026 Date Announced

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced a series of 24-hour strikes on the London Underground over the coming months. They will come into play in November, December, January and February, with eight walkouts scheduled so far. Some will take place close to Christmas, as Londoners rush to buy presents and return home to their loved ones. Here’s what we know so far... When will the 2026 and 2027 Tube strikes take place?

The planned strikes will occur on: November 2026 26 November December 2026 17 December 19 December January 2027 4 January 6 January February 2027 17 February 23 February 25 February Why are these strikes happening? Previous strikes Remember this year’s spring and summer strikes ? Basically, it’s that again. Those earlier strikes happened after TfL offered some drivers optional four-day work weeks, which meant that they could work for longer hours over fewer days.

Prior to that, full-time TfL drivers worked a five-day work week. The four-day version compressed their hours across fewer days and has been tested on the Bakerloo line. Another union body, ASLEF, actually campaigned for the four-day work week. For their part, they formerly said they were “surprised” by RMT’s early 2026 strike action. But months ago, the RMT said that the plan TfL proposed could impact the safety of their drivers and passengers, and expressed concern over the “fatigue, longer shifts, reduced flexibility and the impact these proposals could have in a safety-critical role”.

They also accused TfL of U-turning on negotiations. Members of ASLEF were not involved in those strikes, and do not appear to be partaking in these latest ones, either. Over half of London Tube drivers are ASLEF members. TfL stressed that the four-day work week was optional, and said it offered greater flexibility. The latest strikes This time around, the RMT’s general, Eddie Dempsey, has told the BBC : “London Underground is attempting to dress up a wholesale attack on drivers’ working conditions as a voluntary four-day week.

“Our members are being asked to spend more time driving trains, accept longer and more unpredictable shifts and surrender agreements that have been negotiated and defended over many years.” The union also said it believed the changes would “pave the way for hundreds of job cuts”. Dempsey said the union believes that the change would “pave the way for hundreds of job cuts” too. And the director of customer operations for London Underground, Nick Dent, added that those who choose to stay on a five-day work plan will still be able to do so in their current depot.

In a statement shared with HuffPost UK, he said: “We have engaged with our trade unions for months about our proposal for a new four-day working week. As a result of that engagement, drivers can now choose to remain on a five-day week with a guarantee of remaining at the same depot. “This will give our colleagues a real, meaningful choice on their working pattern without having to change where they work. This will also mean less time at work for Tube drivers, while delivering a more efficient, reliable Tube service for our customers.

Given that we have provided this new option after their feedback, we urge the RMT to put this proposal to their members.” And ASLEF’s London Underground organiser, Finn Brennan, added: “A strike designed to stop people having the choice of a shorter working week and more time off is a strange choice to make.” HuffPost UK has reached out to the RMT and ASLEF for comment.