Planning on visiting the Boxing Day sales? You might want to think through your transport options. It's just been confirmed that London Underground drivers will strike on 26 December. Members of union Aslef voted 9-1 in favour of industrial action, something of an annual tradition for disgruntled staff. Strikes will also occur on 18 and 25 January.
The bone of contention is an existing agreement between Transport for London and the unions, giving staff extra annual leave and pay if they choose to work some bank holidays. Aslef accuses TfL of scope creep, with drivers now working the majority of the bank holidays for insufficient remuneration. Details of the demands have not been widely circulated, so it's difficult to make any deeper assessment.
On the other hand, with Tube drivers receiving up to £61,000 a year including benefits, many will find any industrial action over pay conditions difficult to fathom.
