05.02.16
UPDATE – Some London Underground strikes called off
4.00pm UPDATE
The RMT strike this weekend has been called off following a new offer from London Underground.
However, the maintenance workers' strike on February 12 is set to go ahead.
RMT general secretary Mike Cash said in a letter to members that the union had accepted a revised offer from London Underground following intensive talks.
"All RMT station grades members should book on for shifts and work as normal," he said. "LUL has been informed accordingly that the dispute is now resolved and that all associated industrial action has been cancelled.
"It is clear that during the last two years, the Union has been able to gain major concessions from LUL and all RMT members must be congratulated for enabling us to reach this position."
London Underground’s chief operating officer Steve Griffiths said: “I welcome the RMT’s decision to call off the strike action and end this dispute. Our station modernisation programme now continues, with our changes meaning a more personal service for customers, and record numbers of staff in public areas visible and available to help customers where they need it most.
“As we’ve always promised, we’re delivering these improvements with no compulsory redundancies, no-one being asked to work more hours or lose any pay, as well as continued focus on work-life balance within rosters. In addition, around 900 staff are either being promoted or securing permanent roles with London Underground, having previously been employed on fixed term contracts.”
ORIGINAL STORY:
London Underground’s disputes with unions have worsened as maintenance workers announced plans to strike today in addition to other disputes.
RMT union staff working on the Underground will strike for 24 hours from 6.30am on 12 February, with seven further 24-hour and 12-hour strikes planned between now and June. Up to 1,500 maintenance staff will strike in total.
In a separate development, other RMT staff are due to strike for 48 hours from 9pm this Saturday evening over pay, jobs and rosters.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Nobody should dare to underestimate the severe impact on track safety that the changes bulldozed through by London Underground have unleashed and which have forced our members to take a prolonged period of industrial action to protect both themselves and their colleagues.
“From a situation where everyone knew how to access the track, we now have anarchy and uncertainty. Into this mix we have engineering train movements that we believe will lead to someone being killed and this union will not sit back and wait for a disaster to happen.
“These ill-conceived and lethal changes to track access must be reversed. RMT remains available for talks.”
Steve Griffiths, chief operating officer at London Underground, said: “Talks are already planned with the RMT union next week at Acas to resolve this issue.
“Safety is always our top priority and we have robust and comprehensive procedures in place to ensure that any staff working on the track are kept safe and are aware of any train movements. We have talked to our trade unions extensively about the changes we have made to track access for engineering work and will continue these discussions next week.”
London Underground said that the strikes this weekend could lead to many Tube stations closing or opening only for reduced hours and more passengers on other services such as the Overground, buses, trams, the river and Transport for London rail services.
They said they would provide extra buses and cycle hubs and more staff would be on hand to help passengers get to their destination by other means.
London Underground warned passengers that buses do not accept cash so they will need to use their contactless debit or credit card, Oyster, or bus and tram pass, and advised them to check before they travel on tfl.gov.uk/tube-strike and by following @TfLTravelAlerts, @TfLTrafficNews and @TfLBusAlerts on Twitter.
RMT, in collaboration with three other unions – Unite, Aslef and Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) – announced strikes on 26 January, 15 February and 17 February in another dispute with London Underground over pay and plans to introduce all-night services. However, the unions suspended the plans after being presented with a revised set of proposals by London Underground.