Union rep ‘moaned iPads supplied by TfL are too small to watch Netflix’ as tube strikes choke London
A union representative is said to have complained about work iPads issued to tube drivers being "too small to watch Netflix", according to rail industry forums.
The allegation comes as the capital was gripped by yet another wave of strikes on Tuesday's RMT walkout, while preparing for more industrial action on Thursday.
A former conductor posted about the incident online, writing: "Rep at a recent meeting to give drivers tablets complained that the screen was too small to watch Netflix on, so they should be given bigger ones. Unreal stuff."
It remains unclear which union the representative belonged to and whether the remark was a genuine complaint or made as a joke.
The core dispute centres on Transport for London's proposed four-day week arrangements for Underground drivers, who currently earn approximately £74,000 annually.
The RMT has labelled the reforms a "fake" four-day week and raised additional grievances over driver fatigue and short-notice shift changes.
Among concerns, the union has been vocal in its opposition to the rollout of iPads to drivers, describing the devices as a "manager in your home".
In a February memo, the RMT warned members: "The issue is they will use these devices to enable and maintain direct contact with us and to monitor and evidence more closely what we are doing.
"Once iPads have been rolled out the culture of how and when we interact with the boss will change irreversibly. We must stop it now."
TfL dismissed these concerns, with a spokesman noting station staff have used similar devices for over a decade, to provide passengers with real-time travel updates and record incidents.
"We are committed to making London Underground as efficient as possible, and recognise that technology plays an important role in the modern workplace," they said.
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The RMT's stance has been complicated by rival union Aslef's decision to embrace the reforms, praising them as delivering the "finest working conditions available on the mainline network".
Aslef has pointed to advantages, including 35 additional days away from work per year, and a reduction in average weekly rostered hours from 36 to 34.
The reforms would also permit drivers to volunteer for overtime at time-and-a-quarter rates for the first time.
Sir Sadiq Khan has called on the RMT to return to negotiations today in a final attempt to prevent Thursday's planned walkout.
The Mayor of London made his appeal following Tuesday's walkout, which caused widespread disruption across the majority of Underground lines.
Speaking to the BBC, Sir Sadiq said: "TfL are available today, they're available tomorrow to talk to the RMT.
"I'd encourage RMT and TfL to get in the room and resolve this around the table rather than the disruption industrial action causes."
TfL has confirmed a negotiating team remains ready to meet with union representatives ahead of the second strike.
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