Night tube drivers plot series of strikes later this month
Tube workers are calling a strike action over the reopening of Night Tube services, the National Union of Rail Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) announced.
The union has cited “the imposition of unacceptable and intolerable demand” made by Transport for London (TfL) as the main reason for the strike action, saying it made efforts to reach an agreement with London Underground to no avail.
“No one has worked harder to ensure a safe environment for women on London Underground than the RMT,” said RMT’s general secretary Mick Lynch.
“While Tube bosses have axed staff and left stations routinely unstaffed, with all of the obvious risks, we have campaigned relentlessly for the front line, physical presence of visible staff on stations and platforms.
“We are now being repaid by the imposition of working arrangements that would wreck the work-life balance of our members.”
Lynch argued that while the union supports the reintroduction of night services, members felt betrayed by the TfL’s demands.
Commenting on the RMT’s decision Nick Dent, London Underground’s director of customer operations said: “We are disappointed that the RMT is threatening London with this unnecessary action.
“The positive changes to Tube driver rosters have provided greater flexibility for drivers as well as permanent work and job certainty, something welcomed by all other unions. We have been meeting with the RMT for a number of months through ACAS to try and resolve their issues and we remain open to talking further.”
The news comes on the same day the London Assembly has called on the mayor to give a precise date for the full reintroduction of the Night Tube.
London Assembly member Emma Best said: “Sadiq Khan must fully reopen the Night Tube; two lines are simply not enough to keep women, girls and vulnerable Londoners safe or to support London’s economic recovery.
“Without Night Tube services on the Northern, Jubilee, and Piccadilly lines, many Londoners may choose to stay at home to avoid being stranded at night. That’s bad for businesses and can leave people feeling unsafe.”