Tube strike 2016: Train drivers’ action over Night Tube set to be suspended
Planned strikes by London Underground (LU) train drivers are set to be suspended, after progress was made in talks today between LU and the drivers' unions.
Industrial action had been planned to begin on the evening of Tuesday 26 January, with further strikes to take place on Monday 15 February and Wednesday 17 February. Discussions between the parties resumed yesterday, facilitated by workplace disputes resolution group Acas.
Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser for drivers on LU, said: ‘I am pleased to say that we have made good progress in talks at Acas today. The negotiating team is now reporting to the Aslef executive committee with a recommendation that the planned industrial action be suspended."
Brennan added: "The determination of our members brought London Underground management back to the table.
We have dragged them kicking and screaming into the 21st century with an agreement to deliver modern, flexible working patterns for our members and an above inflation pay rise. This demonstrates just what strong, progressive trade unions can deliver in Britain today.
A spokesperson for the RMT union told Morning Wire that it hadn't yet suspended action, and added: "RMT officials have been presented with a revised set of proposals by LU in the Acas talks today which will be considered in detail by the union's executive tomorrow through our normal democratic procedures."
Last week, Unite, the union representing 600 Tube engineers and maintenance staff, pulled out of the action as talks with TfL, aimed at putting a stop to the walkouts, resumed.
"Unite is suspending its three days of strike action this month and in February over pay and night working on the London Underground," said Unite national officer Hugh Roberts at the time.
"This is to allow for further talks with the conciliation service Acas on these issues. We will approach these talks in a constructive fashion and urge London Underghround management to do the same."
Yesterday, however, the TSSA union said it would join Aslef and RMT in the strikes if no agreement was reached between the unions and TfL.
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "TSSA members want to go forward and deliver a safe 21st-century Tube system benefiting our great world city but they fear Boris Johnson's management of the Tube is taking it back to 19th-century deregulated safety standards and working practices."