Recently announced strike action on the London Underground could impact Watford commuters, with the first walkout set to take place later this month.
Drivers from the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are set to go on strike for eight days across the next four months amid a long-running row with Transport for London (TfL) over proposals for a four-day working week with condensed working hours.
The first day of industrial action is currently scheduled to be Thursday, November 26.
There will likely be no or very little service on the Metropolitan Line that connects London to Watford, Croxley Green and Rickmansworth.
A knock-on effect could be felt at Watford Junction with Lioness Line trains potentially being busier.
Similar strike action in June saw Tube usage drop by 40 per cent, according to TfL.
Eddie Dempsey, the RMT's general secretary, said: "RMT is not opposed to a genuine four-day working week that benefits our members, but we will not accept it being used as a vehicle for job cuts, intensified working and the erosion of terms and conditions."
A TfL spokesperson said: "We have committed, a number of times and in a number of ways, including in writing before this most recent industrial action, to these proposals being voluntary.
"Any suggestion otherwise is misleading the public in order to justify strike action over proposals that would give Tube drivers more time off and create a more modern, efficient Tube service."
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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said that strikes have a "serious impact on Londoners, businesses and commuters" and called for talks between TfL and RMT to resume.
A similar sentiment has been expressed by pressure group BusinessLDN, which has warned the planned walkout will hurt the hospitality sector during the Christmas period.
Strike action is currently scheduled for the following days:
- Thursday, November 26
- Thursday, December 17
- Saturday, December 19
- Monday, January 4
- Wednesday, January 6
- Tuesday, February 23
- Thursday, February 25
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