19.11.12
Tube strike action to take place this weekend
A Tube strike will take place this weekend in a dispute over pensions, the RMT has announced.
Tube Line workers will go on strike from 6am on Friday 23 November to 5:59am on Saturday 24 November. Action by staff has already led to the cancellation of major works on the Northern line this past weekend.
Tube Lines staff are responsible for maintenance and upgrade work on the Jubilee line, the Northern line and the Piccadilly line. They also provide a number of services across the network including the Emergency Response Unit (ERU.)
The strike is a result of an ongoing dispute over pensions and passes for Tube Lines staff.
Tube Lines closed its pension fund to new employees in 2003 and replaced it with a defined contribution pension scheme.
The number of Tube Lines employees who remained in the original pension fund has dwindled due to retirements. Consequently, the majority of Tube Lines employees are now either in the DC scheme or have no pension provision.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “This dispute is about fairness and equality, nothing else. RMT members have delivered a massive mandate and rock-solid action following a straightforward demand for parity with other Tube staff on pensions and passes.
“This dispute is about justice and about ensuring that all groups of staff under the umbrella of London Underground receive the same rights and benefits and our members have no choice but to strike again in the fight to secure those basic rights.”
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