London Underground has hit back at train drivers ahead of the tube strike on Thursday night (September 15), saying some drivers are taking toilet breaks of an hour or more.

The walkout is being held over 'heavy handed and aggressive management' including claims that staff toilet breaks have been timed on a stop watch and a disregard for agreed policies.

An overwhelming vote for industrial action was confirmed by the rail union RMT and the strike was set to last 24-hours starting from 9.30pm on Thursday.

'Absolutely not true'

Operations director for London Underground, Steve White, has said the suggestion that toilet breaks are being timed is 'absolutely not true'.

He said: “We completely understand that sometimes drivers need to take a break during their driving duties to go to the toilet.

“But it has become clear that a minority are taking breaks of an hour or more and calling them toilet breaks.

“This has a direct impact on customers, with some trains being cancelled, and also on their fellow drivers who are having to cover for them.”

The industrial action is likely to affect west London travel as the Hammersmith and City line and Circle line drivers protest working conditions.

West London commuters using Earl's Court , Hammersmith, Paddington and Shepherd's Bush are among those who will be affected.

'Management are out of control'

RMT general secretary Mike Cash said: “This dispute is about the basic issues of protecting working conditions of our members and defending agreements from attempts to drive a coach and horse through them.

“The management are out of control and the anger at their failure to follow procedures has boiled over.

“The union remains available for serious and meaningful talks.”
Strike action was announced after a failure to reach an agreement on Wednesday (September 14).

'That would be neither dignified nor reasonable'

According to Transport for London more buses will run to help Londoners get around.

Mr White added: “The suggestion that we are timing toilet breaks and asking intrusive questions is absolutely not true.

“That would be neither dignified nor reasonable. We are trying to support our staff – offering help through our Occupational Health team if a driver has health issues which requires them to take long breaks.

“We hope that the RMT will work with us to resolve the issues and prevent any further needless disruption to our passengers.”