17.04.12
Three-day strike over Tube concessions
The RMT union has confirmed 72 hours of strike action, following a four to one ballot of Tube Lines staff in a dispute over pensions and benefits.
The strike will take place from Tuesday 24 April 4pm to Friday 27 April 4pm.
RMT has called for all staff to join the TfL pension scheme and receive the same travel concessions as those who work for LUL. This would offer staff free travel withinLondonand 75% of the cost of travel on the mainline railway.
The London Underground staff work on the Piccadilly, Northern and Jubilee lines and provide a number of services, including emergency repairs, across the entire network.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “RMT members have delivered a massive mandate for action following a straightforward demand for parity with other Tube staff.
“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 to secure those basic rights.
“We have gone through all the negotiating channels but Tube Lines has refused to budge and have refused to engage in meaningful talks and that pig-headed approach has raised the temperature on the shop floor and has resulted in this strike action being called.
“The union remains ready to talk, and the strong mandate for this industrial action shows Tube Lines and TfL the depth of anger there is over this blatant lack of fairness and justice.”
Lee Jones, operations director for Tube Lines, urged the union to return to talks, saying the strike was “completely unnecessary” and “will not achieve anything”.
He added: “Any action would be by maintenance staff, not Tube drivers and station staff. Should a strike go ahead, we have plans in place which will enable London Underground to operate Tube services on all three lines.”
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