Each of the four localised disputes could cause disruption to commuters in the run-up to Christmas. The fifth ballot, over pay, is more serious and could halt the entire network, used by more than three million passengers a day. RMT leader Bob Crow said the union was “determined to fight for decent pay and conditions”. The disputes are:
A re-ballot of a small, but key, number of workers at EDF Energy Powerlink, which supplies much of London Underground's power. Previous action, over pay, was stopped by a legal challenge.
Train drivers at Hammersmith depot are to be asked to support strike action in a long-running row over working arrangements. It would affect the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines.
Staff at Stratford Market depot to be balloted in a dispute over working conditions. Action would cause major disruption to the Jubilee line.
Willesden Green station staff (Jubilee and Metropolitan lines) are to be asked to support claims of unfair dismissal brought by station supervisor Colleen Johnston and demands for her reinstatement.
The RMT is also finalising arrangements for a ballot of thousands of its Tube members over the annual pay award. LU is refusing to increase a two-year deal of a 1.5 per cent rise this year, and RPI plus O.5 per cent next year.
Unite, which represents engineering staff, intends to go ahead with a strike ballot in the dispute. The ballots would take about three weeks, and legal notice another two. It means walkouts across the entire network could occur during the Christmas and New Year period.
Mr Crow said: “Despite the use of the courts and anti-trade union laws to try and shackle the RMT, members continue to show determination to fight.”
Tube users suffered disruption in June when RMT members walked out partly over the same pay row. Tube bosses today called on the RMT to end its threat of “unnecessary” action, with talks due on or before 24 November.
Richard Parry, LU managing director, said: “It is inexcusable that the RMT leadership raises the threat of strike action... when discussions are planned. They are again intent on threatening inconvenience for Londoners, many of whom will have had their pay cut or will have lost their jobs in the toughest economic conditions in decades.”
A re-ballot of a small, but key, number of workers at EDF Energy Powerlink, which supplies much of London Underground's power. Previous action, over pay, was stopped by a legal challenge.
Train drivers at Hammersmith depot are to be asked to support strike action in a long-running row over working arrangements. It would affect the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines.
Staff at Stratford Market depot to be balloted in a dispute over working conditions. Action would cause major disruption to the Jubilee line.
Willesden Green station staff (Jubilee and Metropolitan lines) are to be asked to support claims of unfair dismissal brought by station supervisor Colleen Johnston and demands for her reinstatement.
The RMT is also finalising arrangements for a ballot of thousands of its Tube members over the annual pay award. LU is refusing to increase a two-year deal of a 1.5 per cent rise this year, and RPI plus O.5 per cent next year.
Unite, which represents engineering staff, intends to go ahead with a strike ballot in the dispute. The ballots would take about three weeks, and legal notice another two. It means walkouts across the entire network could occur during the Christmas and New Year period.
Mr Crow said: “Despite the use of the courts and anti-trade union laws to try and shackle the RMT, members continue to show determination to fight.”
Tube users suffered disruption in June when RMT members walked out partly over the same pay row. Tube bosses today called on the RMT to end its threat of “unnecessary” action, with talks due on or before 24 November.
Richard Parry, LU managing director, said: “It is inexcusable that the RMT leadership raises the threat of strike action... when discussions are planned. They are again intent on threatening inconvenience for Londoners, many of whom will have had their pay cut or will have lost their jobs in the toughest economic conditions in decades.”
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