London Underground Workers Plan Strikes

May 12, 2026, 16:53
EuropePolitics

Introduction

Workers from the RMT union will stop working for two days. This will happen on May 19 and May 21, 2026.

Main Body

The workers and the company (TfL) disagree about working hours. TfL wants workers to work 35 hours in four days. The RMT union says this is dangerous because workers will be too tired. The union wants a 32-hour week instead. Trains will not run normally on these days. Some trains will stop early. Buses and other trains will still work, but they will be very crowded. The Mayor of London wants the two groups to agree. He does not want the company to lose money. He does not want workers to lose pay. If they do not agree, there will be more strikes in June.

Conclusion

The London Underground will have problems in May. The company and the union must talk to fix the problem.

Learning

πŸ›‘ STOP vs. GO

Look at how the text talks about things not happening. In A2 English, we use not to change a 'Yes' to a 'No'.

Pattern: Verb + not + Action

  • Trains will not run
  • He does not want

πŸ•’ TIME WORDS

Notice how we talk about when things happen. We use on for specific calendar days:

πŸ“… on May 19 πŸ“… on May 21 πŸ“… on these days

Quick Tip: Use on when you can point to a specific date on a calendar β†’ on Monday, on June 1st.

βš–οΈ THE 'TOO' TRAP

When something is more than what we want, we use too. It usually means a problem:

  • Workers will be too tired β†’\rightarrow (This is bad/dangerous)
  • Buses will be too crowded β†’\rightarrow (This is uncomfortable)

Simple Rule: Too + Feeling = A problem.

Vocabulary Learning

workers (n.)
People who do a job.
Example:The workers will stop working for two days.
union (n.)
An organization of workers.
Example:The RMT union represents the workers.
stop (v.)
To cease to work.
Example:Workers will stop working for two days.
working (v.)
Doing a job.
Example:The workers are working hard.
two (adj.)
Number 2.
Example:They will stop for two days.
days (n.)
Time periods of 24 hours.
Example:They will stop for two days.
happen (v.)
To occur.
Example:The strike will happen on May 19.
may (v.)
Expresses possibility.
Example:It may be a good idea to discuss.
disagree (v.)
To have different opinions.
Example:The workers and the company disagree.
hours (n.)
Units of time.
Example:They want workers to work 35 hours.
wants (v.)
Desires.
Example:TfL wants workers to work 35 hours.
work (v.)
To perform a job.
Example:Workers will work for the company.
dangerous (adj.)
Risky or harmful.
Example:The union says it is dangerous.
tired (adj.)
Feeling exhausted.
Example:Workers will be too tired.
week (n.)
Seven days.
Example:The union wants a 32-hour week.
train (n.)
A vehicle that runs on tracks.
Example:Trains will not run normally.
run (v.)
To operate.
Example:Trains will run normally.
normally (adv.)
In a usual way.
Example:Trains will run normally.
early (adv.)
Before the usual time.
Example:Some trains will stop early.
buses (n.)
Road vehicles that carry passengers.
Example:Buses will still work.
crowded (adj.)
Full of many people.
Example:The buses will be very crowded.
mayor (n.)
Leader of a city.
Example:The mayor wants the groups to agree.
agree (v.)
To have the same opinion.
Example:The mayor wants the two groups to agree.
company (n.)
An organization that provides services.
Example:The company is TfL.
lose (v.)
To fail to keep.
Example:The company does not want to lose money.
money (n.)
Currency used for buying.
Example:The company does not want to lose money.
pay (n.)
Money given for work.
Example:Workers will not lose pay.
strikes (n.)
Work stoppages.
Example:There will be more strikes.
problems (n.)
Difficult situations.
Example:The Underground will have problems.
talk (v.)
To speak about.
Example:The company and union must talk.
fix (v.)
To repair or solve.
Example:They must talk to fix the problem.