RMT confirms Tube strike for August
The RMT union has confirmed for four days of strikes on the Tube in August in protest over plans to abolish the Night Tube train drivers’ grade.
Having first called the strike earlier this month, it confirmed it would go ahead after failing to make any progress in talks with the London Underground company.
The union said it was “angry and frustrated” about the firm’s “refusal” to engage in discussions on the issue.
RMT has asked all drivers not to book into work after midday for 24 hours on 3, 5, 24 and 26 August.
It said that the decision to get rid of the separate pay grade for Night Tube drivers will “threaten the loss of 200 jobs and destroy the work life balance of 3000 Tube drivers”.
Instead of having a separate role for drivers working at night, under the new plans drivers would instead have to do a combination of normal shifts and night shifts.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “London Underground’s proposals to rip up an agreement that protects 3000 Tube drivers work life balance has caused uproar in the depots amongst drivers.
“This breach of trust by an out of touch management abolishes the part time jobs of workers – mainly women – who want them.
“This is the thanks that Tube drivers have been given for keeping the service running through the Covid pandemic. This is a blatant attempt to now use that pandemic to start bulldozing through a savage programme of cuts.”
He said the union was available for talks.
Nick Dent, director of customer operations for London Underground, said: “The changes to how we roster our drivers to continue to provide a regular Tube service and create more flexibility for our staff will not result in any job losses.
“Part-time drivers have been playing a vital role in keeping the Tube running during the pandemic, and giving them the option to become part of the wider driver workforce means that Londoners can continue to have certainty that a near-normal service will continue, while also giving drivers the opportunity for full-time work and long-term job certainty.
“We have engaged with our trade unions for some time on these changes, and have listened to their concerns. While we have been able to reach agreement with most of our trades unions, this has not been possible so far with the RMT.
“An agreement with all of our unions would be preferable, but it is vital that we make these changes so that we can continue to operate the level of service that London needs as the city continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.