Updated: Tube strikes - Driver walkout hits five lines on Black Friday

A 24-hour tube strike has hit five major lines on the London Underground today.

This has caused major disruptions for commuters travelling on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.

RMT drivers have been told not to clock on, between 04.30 on Friday and 04.29 on Saturday morning.

The Night Tube is also set to be disrupted every weekend up to Christmas.

The RMT union confirmed on Monday night its industrial action on London Underground services, which is set to throw the festive season into chaos.

The Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines will all be affected this Friday, with drivers and staff set to walk out for 24 hours from 4.30am.

Transport for London (TfL) said this could mean a “significantly reduced service on these lines all day with little or no service in places”.

The strike is over a dispute due to new driver rosters in line with the Night Tube reopening overnight on Saturday November 27.

It was set to relaunch on the Central and Victoria lines, for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.

The RMT union - one of the main Tube unions - has also ordered walkouts for the Night Tube on every weekend up to Christmas.

When are the Tube strikes?

Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines:

• 4.30am Friday November 26 to 4.29am on Saturday November 27.
• 4.30am Friday December 17 to 4.29am on Saturday December 18.

Central and Victoria lines (Night Tube)

• 8.30pm on Saturday November 27 to 4.29am Sunday November 28.
• 8.30pm on Friday December 3 and 4.29am on Saturday December 4.
• 8.30pm on Saturday December 4 and 4.29am on Sunday December 5.
• 8.30pm on Friday December 10 and 4.29am on Saturday December 11.
• 8.30pm on Saturday December 11 and 4.29am on Sunday December 12.
• 8.30pm on Friday December 17 and 4.29am on Saturday December 18.

What has the RMT said?

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "We have made every effort in ACAS and direct talks to resolve this dispute, but it is clear that London Underground bosses are driven solely by the bottom line and have no interest whatsoever in the well being of their staff or the service to passengers.

"We are now being repaid by the imposition of working arrangements that would wreck the work-life balance of our members.

“No one should underestimate the anger this issue has generated amongst drivers.

“All of this was avoidable if the Tube management hadn’t axed dedicated Night Tube staff and perfectly workable arrangements in order to cut staffing numbers and costs.

“RMT has supported the introduction of the Night Tube, but we know full well that prior to its suspension during the pandemic it was a magnet for violent, abusive and anti-social behaviour and trying to run it on the cheap will make that situation even worse.

“We warned months ago that slashing 200 Night Tube train driver positions would create a staffing nightmare and London Underground needs to start facing up to that reality soon.

“The union remains available for further talks.”

What is TfL saying?

Nick Dent, director of London Underground customer operations, said: “At such a pivotal time for the capital’s recovery, we are hugely disappointed that the RMT is threatening London with this unnecessary action.

“By making changes to Tube driver rosters, we have provided greater flexibility for drivers as well as permanent work and job certainty, something welcomed by all other unions.

“The return of the Night Tube is a hugely significant moment for the night-time economy and for Londoners travelling late at night who will have improved journey times and an additional safe travel option.

“We have been meeting with the RMT for a number of months through ACAS to try and resolve their issues and we remain open to talking further.”