Tube strike: London underground workers threaten industrial action in housing project battle
A fresh battle is brewing after London Underground workers threatened to strike over a housing project battle which would result in a Tube depot being demolished.
The RMT Union said the at 400 maintenance engineers have been "caught in the middle of a mad dash by mayor Boris Johnson to bulldoze through the demolition of whole swathes of the Earls Court area to open the door for luxury housing for the tax-dodging super rich before he hands over the keys to City Hall in May".
The scheme would lead to Lillie Road Tube depot being demolished, as well as Earls Court Exhibition Centre.
The plan are all part of a drive to build new homes.
"The livelihoods and jobs of all RMT members at Lillie Road is under severe threat," RMT general secretary Mick Cash said.
"The bulldozing through of these plans is at the clear expense of local tenants, residents and the jobs of RMT members affected by the accompanying demolition of Lillie Bridge depot."
"The RMT has spent years successfully defending our members at Lillie Bridge depot and we are not going to take this latest attack that all stems from the obsession with luxury property speculation in this city."
Steve Griffiths, London Underground’s chief operating officer, said that no decision has been made.
"As part of the next phase of the Earls Court redevelopment, we are currently exploring options for the Lillie Bridge depot, and no decision has been made.
"Any decisions regarding the depot will be undertaken in close consultation with staff and trade unions. Talks are planned with the RMT union to resolve this issue," he added.