03.05.16
RMT ballot members over Night Tube
Strikes over the introduction of the Night Tube could return after RMT began balloting members again.
RMT opened the ballot today, saying it was due to differences between the London Underground and Tube Lines offers and unresolved issues over pensions.
RMT said the London Underground offer referred to “all-night services” but the Tube Lines Offer referred to “24-hour services”, and London Underground had recruited new staff to work on the Night Tube whereas Tube Lines had said existing staff have to work the new shifts. The pensions offer for Tube Lines employees also has yet to be agreed.
Mick Cash, general secretary of the RMT, said: “RMT members are furious at the cynical way that Tube Lines have attempted to tie in attacks on pensions with the offer on Pay and Night Tube and our reps for this group of over a thousand safety-critical staff have unanimously thrown the whole package out. As a result, the ballot for both strike action and action short of a strike opens today.”
RMT held strikes in protest at the introduction of the Night Tube last year, but agreed a revised pay deal in March.
Aslef has said the Night Tube will open in August, although London Underground deny that a date has been set.
Steve Griffiths, chief operating officer at London Underground, said: "We have made the same fair and sustainable four-year pay offer for Tube Lines maintenance staff as has been made for staff employed by London Underground.
"This will see an average 2% salary increase this year and inflation-protected rises in 2016 and 2017. Pension arrangements for Tube Lines maintenance staff have been the subject of separate ongoing discussions."
Talks held between RMT and Southern last week to resolve a separate industrial dispute over the introduction of driver-operated only trains failed to reach a resolution.
(Image c. Tim Ireland from PA Images)