THOUSANDS of commuters were hit by widespread disruption on the London Underground today as lines were suspended after workers went on strike.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union including drivers, signallers and maintenance workers launched a series of strikes over pay and conditions.

The action started on Sunday but the biggest impact will be between Monday and Thursday, when Transport for London (TfL) warned there will be few or no services.

Picket lines were mounted outside Tube stations on Monday.

There will also be no Docklands Light Railway services on Tuesday and Thursday because of a strike by RMT members in a separate pay dispute.

TfL has offered a 3.4 per cent pay rise, which it described as “fair” and said it cannot afford to meet the RMT’s call for a cut in the working week.

Nick Dent, London Underground’s director of customer operations, said union demands for a cut in the 35-hour week were “simply unaffordable” and would cost hundreds of millions of pounds.

RMT regional officer Jared Wood said the union wanted to see “real progress” towards a shorter working week because of increased levels of fatigue.

Joe Ryle, campaign director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, said: “We offer our full support to the RMT leading the fight for a 32-hour working week.

“Every union that takes action to secure a shorter working week brings the four-day week closer to reality for everyone.

“It’s a bold and necessary stand, and these workers deserve widespread support.

“The five-day week is a century-old model that no longer reflects how we live and work today. We are long overdue an update.”