Christmas Tube Strike threatened

Just in case you thought there might be a Xmas with no threat of a London Underground strike, you'd be wrong. The RMT are going to ballot their members about a walk out in the run up to Christmas, as part of their lengthy pay dispute.


The RMT union had already rejected as "miserly" a two-year deal of 1.5 per cent this year and RPI plus 0.5 per cent in the second year. Bob Crow, the union's general secretary said "We are looking for a pay offer that matches up to deals elsewhere in our industry and which reflects the real costs of living and working in an expensive city like London.

"RMT remains available for further talks with a view to moving this issue on and reaching a negotiated settlement acceptable to our members."

Richard Parry, acting managing director of London Underground, said: "Londoners will find another RMT strike threat hard to take, especially when we are offering a two-year above inflation pay offer.

"Many Londoners have seen their pay frozen or have lost their jobs this year. In contrast, we are offering stability and security in one of the toughest economic climates in decades."

He added: "Another strike will achieve nothing except lose staff more pay and cause unnecessary frustration and disruption to Londoners."

So add a Tube strike to the ongoing postal strike and it looks like an un-merry Xmas for Londoners.

Update: 18th December 2009 - 100 power staff who work on the Tube will be going on strike over pay.