Central Line tube strike: 24-hour closures expected as TFL drivers prepare to walk out

Drivers to walk out on Friday in dispute over industrial relations

Commuters on the London Underground will face further disruption as drivers go on strike later this week.

Members of the drivers’ union, Aslef, will walk out on the Central Line for 24 hours on Friday in a dispute over industrial relations.

Another strike is planned for 7 November.

Last week, members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union on the Piccadilly Line took industrial action in a separate row.

Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser on London Underground, said: “Industrial action is always the last resort but, given the intransigence of management on a whole range of issues affecting our members, we have reluctantly decided this is our only course of action.”

He said the strike was over a number of issues, including imposition of “unsafe” working practices.

“What links these issues is a basic failure to treat drivers with fairness and respect,” Mr Brennan said.

“Management seem to think of drivers as an appendix of the trains they operate, not as human beings.

“We have seen drivers dismissed because of one mistake after a quarter of a century of excellent service or reduced in grade because they had the temerity to take time off sick after a traumatic incident.

“London Underground management has had ample opportunities to resolve this dispute but they have chosen not to because they believe they will get what they want by using sticks instead of carrots.

“They have abused the disciplinary and attendance procedure to try to create a climate of fear on the Central Line.”

Nigel Holness, Transport for London’s director of network operations for London Underground, said: “This possible strike action will mean that the Central and Waterloo & City lines would be closed for the day.

“If there are any changes to service levels, we will update customers through our website, journey planner and social media channels, which all feature up-to-date travel advice.

“We are meeting with Aslef leadership to try to work with them to avoid this strike action and I urge them to continue these positive discussions so that Londoners don’t experience disruption this week.”

Additional reporting by Press Association