Advertisement

Tube unions announces three Underground strikes

RMT members on strike outside Brixton station in August. Credit: PA

The RMT, Unite and Aslef unions have announced three 24 hour strikes on the London Underground over disputes involving pay, the Night Tube and cuts to station staffing numbers.

The first strike will start with Unite and RMT members walking out at 6:30pm on January 26th, with further ones beginning on February 15th and February 17th at the same time. Aslef members will strike on the same days but will walk out at 9:15pm.

RMT members are furious at the bodged introduction of the Mayor’s Night Tube plans and the fact that they have been tied in with a pay deal that has left our members dangling on a string and out of pocket since April last year. RMT supports the principle of a properly worked out Night Tube service introduced through agreement with the unions but the abject failure to work through the detail has led to a comprehensive breakdown in the negotiations and has forced us to name a programme of further industrial action.

– Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary

The report before the Executive Committee explained that no improved offer has been received from the company and that they had also abrogated our agreements by recruiting part time drivers for Night Tube. The District Organiser also advised that the 2015 pay settlement was due in April 2015 and our members cannot be expected to wait any longer for their pay rise.

– Aslef statement

The sticking points are an inadequate four-year pay offer and a failure to agree over the implementation of the Night Tube. LUL bosses are also threatening to impose rosters and tear up agreements.

– Hugh Roberts, Unite acting national officer for rail

The TSSA union said it is consulting its members on what it will do next.