03.02.16
Delayed Night Tube moves forward as RMT backs fresh offer
The Night Tube project has moved a significant step forward as one of its main adversaries formally backed London Underground’s (LU’s) fresh pay offer.
The RMT union, one of the four groups fighting against what they perceived as an unfair offer for the planned all-night service on several lines, said today its union executive is recommending accepting the revised deal.
It will conduct a referendum ballot over the offer on 11 February, but is already endorsing that its members across the Underground vote yes.
The revised offer, sent to unions late last month, included a minimum 1% in the fourth year settlement, to give the guarantee of a raise if RPI happened to fall below zero. The £500 bonus, initially offered to Night Tube staff, will also be extended to all operational workers.
The three other unions involved in the longstanding dispute – Aslef, Unite and TSSA – have not yet decided whether to accept the deal.
Aslef’s leaders have been quoted as “looking like they will also accept” the deal, meaning it is expected to recommend the package in the coming weeks.
A spokesman for Unite said the union’s national officer for rail, Hugh Roberts, asked for more talks with the LU management, and said they “reserve the right to take action in February” but that nothing is finalised yet.
But there is reasonable ground to believe that the latest offer may finally seal the deal, given that the three unions abandoned their strike threat for January after constructive talks with LU management progressed further.
If they do go ahead, this month’s strikes are pencilled for 15 and 17 February.
(Top image c. Dominic Lipinski, PA Images)