TUBE drivers are planning six days of strikes in an escalating dispute over two sacked union members.

RMT union bosses will instruct around 1,500 London Underground drivers not to clock in on three days in mid May and on another three days in mid-June.

The strikes are set to last between nine and 24 hours, potentially bringing chaos to the Tube network and putting pressure on Transport for London bosses.

The action is over the sackings of drivers Arwyn Thomas and Eamon Lynch, who the RMT argue have been persecuted because of union activities.

But TfL have dismissed that notion as “absolute nonsense”, claiming Mr Thomas was dismissed for “abusive behaviour” and Mr Lynch overrode safety systems in breach of regulations.

Both men are pursuing unfair dismissal claims against London Underground.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, accused Tube bosses of “abject failure” and said the union had no choice but to call industrial action.

He said: “The solution is simple - LU should accept that they have been found out, get these drivers back to work doing the job that they are being paid to do and bring an end to the constant harassment of union activists whose only crime is fighting cuts to jobs and safety.”

But Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground, pointed out less than a third of all Tube drivers had voted in favour of the strike, and accused union chiefs of trying to disrupt London.

He added: “As ever London Underground and TfL will work to keep London moving if the strikes go ahead."

The strike dates and times are:

  • 9pm, Monday, May 16, to 11.59am on Tuesday, May 17
  • midday on Wednesday, May 18, to 11.59am on Thursday, May 19
  • midday on Friday, May 20 to 9pm on Friday, May 20
  • 9.01pm on Monday, June 13 to 11.59am on Tuesday, June 14
  • midday on Wednesday, June 15 to 11.59am on Thursday, June 16
  • midday on Friday, June 17 to 9pm on Friday, June 17