Commuters to face two 24 hour Tube strikes in February

7 February 2020, 08:32

The strike will hit the Bakerloo line
The strike will hit the Bakerloo line. Picture: PA
EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

Drivers on parts of the Tube network are set to strike in a row over timetable changes which a union said causes "intolerable" levels of stress.

Tow 24-hour walkouts are planned for members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union who work on the Bakerloo line.

Union members will walk out for 24 hours from 12pm on Friday, February 21 and again from 12pm on Sunday, February 23, hitting the busy Monday morning rush-hour.

A ballot for action returned a 95% vote in favour.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Drivers voted overwhelmingly for action in this dispute, which is all about the management imposing timetable changes on the Bakerloo line without any serious recognition of the stress impact on the operators expected to implement them.

"We hoped we were making headway in talks with LU but our reps have now taken the view that the progress has been too little and too slow.

"The bottom line is that you cannot place intolerable stress and pressure on Tube drivers that impacts on their safety-critical role and that is what this dispute is all about. The union remains available for talks."

More to follow