COMMUTERS are facing the longest Tube strike ever as drivers refuse to work every weekend for six months.
The RMT confirmed workers will not show up on the Victoria and Central line between 8.30pm on Fridays until 8am on Saturday.
Drivers will then clock off again at 8.30pm and return at 8am on Sunday.
The action will start from the New Year and run all the way through to June in the longest strike in the history of the London Underground.
The union threatened to extend the strike to other Tube lines if Transport for London do not bow to their demands.
They have been locked in a dispute with the organisation over Night Tube rotas.
Union chiefs claim the current hours ruin the work-life balance of drivers – even though they only have to work four Night Tube shifts a year.
There has already been eight days of strike action after the service partially reopened last month.
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Last Saturday saw a 24-hour walkout on the Victoria, Central, Northern, Piccadilly and Jubilee line.
And the Night Tube is currently only operating at weekends – with a train just once every 30 minutes at times.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “If London Underground and the Mayor thought this fight for progressive and family friendly working practices was going away they need to think again.
“Our members have been re-balloted and have delivered a solid mandate for action and its the failure of LU and Sadiq Khan to address the grievances at the heart of the dispute that leaves us no option but to confirm the programme of action today.
“RMT has repeatedly put forward cost neutral proposals that would repair the damage unleashed by deleting 200 driver posts and which would dig LU out of this mess. They have ignored us and that approach will have severe consequences for Londoners in the New Year.
“We remain available for further talks.”
Muniya Barua, managing director of policy at business group London First, said: “Londoners depend on a regular and reliable Underground service and for many the Night Tube is a lifeline, not just a Tube line.
“This action is disproportionate and will have major consequences for the economic recovery. We’d urge the RMT and TfL to get back round the table quickly.”
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