RMT members have announced eight 24-hour strikes between November and February. The action threatens disruption during the Christmas shopping period, although TfL has not yet confirmed how services will operate.
London Underground passengers are facing another round of potential travel disruption after the RMT announced eight 24-hour strikes by Tube drivers between November 2026 and February 2027.
The union confirmed the dates on Friday, 6 November, saying the action is part of its ongoing dispute with Transport for London (TfL) over proposed changes to drivers’ working arrangements.
The first walkout is scheduled for 26 November, with further strikes planned in December, January and February. Two December dates fall during the busy Christmas shopping period, raising concerns for commuters, retailers and London’s hospitality businesses.
The dispute centres on TfL’s proposal to introduce a voluntary four-day working week for Tube drivers. While management says drivers can choose to retain their existing five-day pattern, the RMT argues that the wider changes to working conditions remain unresolved.
London Underground strike dates: November 2026 to February 2027
The RMT has announced the following eight strike dates. Each action is scheduled to last 24 hours, beginning at midday.
| Strike begins | Strike ends |
|---|---|
| Thursday 26 November 2026 | Friday 27 November |
| Thursday 17 December 2026 | Friday 18 December |
| Saturday 19 December 2026 | Sunday 20 December |
| Monday 4 January 2027 | Tuesday 5 January |
| Wednesday 6 January 2027 | Thursday 7 January |
| Wednesday 17 February 2027 | Thursday 18 February |
| Tuesday 23 February 2027 | Wednesday 24 February |
| Thursday 25 February 2027 | Friday 26 February |
These are the dates on which the walkouts begin, not eight separate full calendar days of disruption. Each action runs from 12 noon until approximately 11.59am the following day.
The dates are confirmed in the RMT’s official announcement. National Rail has also published a disruption notice, although it says the full effect on Underground and National Rail services is not yet known.
Passengers should check National Rail’s disruption notice and TfL’s travel updates before making plans.
Why are Tube drivers going on strike?
The disagreement is about more than whether drivers should work four days instead of five.
TfL wants to introduce a new working arrangement that would allow drivers to complete their working week over four days. The proposal is intended to give drivers more time away from work while helping the Underground operate more efficiently.
The RMT says the changes would affect existing employment agreements, regardless of whether drivers choose the four-day or five-day option.
In its 6 November announcement, the union raised concerns about longer duties, increased time spent driving trains, earlier starts, later finishes and changes to shift arrangements.
It also warned that drivers who reject the proposed framework could face changes to their depot arrangements and be moved into a flexible pool of staff.
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said the union was not opposed to a genuine shorter working week but would not accept changes that it believes could weaken existing protections or lead to job cuts.
The union wants management to provide clear guarantees that drivers who remain on their existing agreements will not be disadvantaged.
What does TfL say about the dispute?
Transport for London disputes the RMT’s interpretation of the proposed arrangements.
Nick Dent, TfL’s Director of Customer Operations, said the organisation had been discussing the four-day working week with trade unions for months.
He said drivers would be able to remain on a five-day working pattern and would be guaranteed the option of staying at their existing depot.
TfL argues that the arrangement would give employees a genuine choice over their working patterns while improving efficiency and reliability for passengers.
This is the central disagreement: TfL says the shorter working week is voluntary, while the RMT believes the wider changes attached to it could still affect drivers who do not take up the offer.
Why is Aslef taking a different position?
The dispute has also exposed a difference between the two main unions representing London Underground drivers.
Aslef supports the proposed four-day arrangement and has challenged the RMT’s decision to strike against it.
Finn Brennan, Aslef’s full-time organiser on London Underground, said the voluntary arrangement would give drivers around 35 additional days off each year, with rosters based on a 34-hour working week.
Aslef says drivers who prefer to continue working five days have been assured that they can do so without suffering any disadvantage.
The disagreement between the unions matters because RMT members are not the only drivers working on the Underground. Aslef members are not part of this strike action, which means some Tube services may still operate.
However, the actual level of service will depend on how many drivers are available and how TfL manages its operations on each strike day.
How the Tube dispute developed in 2026
The latest announcement follows months of disagreement between the RMT and TfL.
The dispute began to escalate in March, when the RMT announced strike dates covering March, April and May. The planned March walkouts were subsequently suspended while discussions continued.
Industrial action went ahead on 21–24 April, causing widespread disruption across the Underground.
The next planned round, scheduled for 19–22 May, was cancelled after developments in discussions between the union and TfL. However, the dispute remained unresolved.
Further strikes took place on 2 and 4 June. During the first June walkout, TfL said around 60 per cent of drivers had reported for work, allowing services to operate on almost every Underground line, although passengers experienced significant disruption.
The RMT continued to oppose the proposed working arrangements, and the latest announcement shows that the disagreement has not been settled.
Sources: UCL’s strike timeline and ITV News’ report on the June action.
Christmas shopping and London’s businesses face uncertainty
The December dates could prove particularly difficult for London’s retail and hospitality sectors.
The 17 December strike falls on a Thursday, while the second walkout begins on Saturday 19 December. That Saturday is especially significant because it falls just before Christmas, when shopping streets, restaurants and entertainment venues typically see increased visitor numbers.
For businesses that depend on customers travelling into central London, reduced Underground services could mean fewer visitors, late arrivals and cancelled plans.
Ed Richardson, Transport Programme Director at BusinessLDN, warned that the proposed strikes would be particularly difficult for London’s hospitality sector during the Christmas trading period.
He urged both sides to reach an agreement before the action takes place.
The potential impact is not limited to shoppers. Theatre audiences, hotel guests, restaurant customers and people travelling to work could also need to reconsider their journeys.
However, the extent of any disruption will depend on the services TfL is able to operate. It is too early to say which individual stations or lines will be closed.
What services will run during the strikes?
TfL has not yet published detailed service arrangements for all eight dates.
Passengers should not assume that the entire Underground network will close. During previous RMT strikes in 2026, some services continued operating despite significant disruption.
The experience of the June action illustrates this. TfL reported that around 60 per cent of drivers had attended work on 2 June, allowing a service to operate on almost every Tube line.
Nevertheless, a reduced service does not necessarily mean a straightforward journey. Trains can be less frequent, stations can become crowded and interchange points may experience additional pressure.
Other transport options could also become busier as passengers look for alternatives, including:
- London buses
- Elizabeth line
- London Overground
- Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
- Tram services
- Walking and cycling for shorter journeys
These services are not automatically immune to disruption. Increased passenger numbers and road congestion can affect journey times, particularly in central London.
What should London Underground passengers do?
With the first strike still several weeks away, passengers have time to consider alternative travel arrangements.
Anyone planning to travel on the affected dates should check TfL’s service information before leaving home and again before making the return journey.
People travelling to airports, medical appointments or important meetings may want to allow additional time rather than relying on their usual route.
Employers with staff who commute by Tube may also wish to consider flexible working arrangements where possible.
The TfL Go app provides journey planning and service information. National Rail passengers should also check for any changes affecting connections with Underground stations.
Could the Tube strikes still be called off?
Yes. The announced dates do not mean the strikes are certain to happen.
The RMT has said it remains willing to negotiate, while TfL has also called for further discussions to resolve the disagreement.
The key issue remains the guarantees sought by the RMT over existing working arrangements and the assurances offered by TfL about the voluntary nature of the four-day week.
If both sides reach an agreement before 26 November, the action could be suspended or cancelled. Until then, passengers should treat the announced dates as planned strike action and keep checking official updates.
For Londoners, the immediate concern is the potential disruption to daily journeys. For retailers and hospitality businesses, the timing of the December walkouts adds another layer of uncertainty during one of the busiest periods of the year.
The next few weeks of negotiations could determine whether London faces another winter of Underground disruption or whether the two sides find a way to settle the dispute.
This article will be updated as TfL publishes confirmed service arrangements or the unions announce any changes to the planned strike dates.
