4-day week with paid meal relief.

Today (Tue April 22nd ) we met management to discuss the next steps towards implementation of the 4-day week with a paid meal relief for Underground train drivers.

Management acknowledged that much inaccurate information was spread during the referendum process and that this meant many people do not have a clear understanding of how the 4-day week will work in practice.

They said that it is now time to flesh out the details of the proposal and the agreements that will need to be updated during the implementation phase.

A series of Trains Functional Council (TFC) meetings is now being arranged so that this can be done. The TFC is the negotiating body that deals with all driver specific issues including combine wide agreements on rostering.

These TFC meetings will decide on the line by line roll out program for the 4-day week. Your ASLEF reps will push to ensure this process happens quickly.  Every other train driver in the UK already enjoys the benefits of a 4-day week and we want every line on the Underground to do so as well.

The 4 day week means an extra day off and 4 and a ½ hours fewer at work, with all rosters based on 34 hours per week. It is a massive step forward in improving working conditions.

There will be much detailed work to be done to produce draft rosters and local reps will be involved in this as early as possible to make sure issues at individual depots are resolved.

The 4-day week needs to be delivered in the timescales set out in the proposal and we will not accept management or any other party delaying the process.

Updates will be sent out after meetings and full reports given at your ASLEF branch meeting.

 Pay and Conditions claim 2025.

After pressure from this union, we expect formal pay and conditions talks that cover all grades on London Underground, including APD and Test Trains, to finally start early in May. As a reminder details of our claim are set out below.

• A pay rise above the RPI rate of inflation, with all pay bands inflated in line with the general rise.

•        A 4-day 32-hour week.

•        Improvements in travel benefits that at a minimum, equate to a restoration of privilege travel facilities to all staff.

•       An increase in the overtime rate.

•       An increase in annual leave entitlement.

•       A trauma payment for drivers affected by a person under a train incident.

•       A commitment to upgrade and improve facilities at all train crew locations, booking on and meal relief points to the standards enjoyed by staff in TfL head office locations.

Reports will be sent out when we have more information.

Best regards,

Finn Brennan

ASLEF District Organiser