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Talks break down over Tube strike Talks break down over Tube strike
(9 minutes later)
Millions of commuters and visitors to London face travel chaos after talks aimed at averting a 48-hour strike by Tube workers broke down. Millions of commuters and visitors to London face travel chaos after talks aimed at averting a two-day strike by Tube workers broke down.
The announcement was made after 10-hour talks failed to produce a breakthrough to a dispute over jobs and pay. The announcement was made after 10-hour talks failed to produce a breakthrough in the dispute, over jobs and pay.
The strike, which is expected to affect the entire Tube network, was triggered after a Rail Maritime and Union (RMT) ballot last month. The walkout, which is expected to affect the entire Tube network, was triggered after a Rail Maritime and Union (RMT) ballot last month.
The strike will begin at 1859 BST on Tuesday and end at 1859 BST Thursday. The strike is to begin at 1859 BST on Tuesday and end 48 hours later.
Normal services are expected to resume on Friday morning.Normal services are expected to resume on Friday morning.
'Solidly supported' The strike will now go ahead and we expect it to be solidly supported RMT general secretary Bob Crow
Docklands Light Railway and London Overground services will operate as normal.Docklands Light Railway and London Overground services will operate as normal.
The ballot saw 2,810 members voting for the industrial walk-out in a dispute over pay and proposed job cuts while 488 voted against it. Transport for London (TfL) has put in a place a series of contingency plans aimed at helping commuters get to work.
Transport for London has put in a place a series of contingency plans aimed at helping commuters get to work. London mayor Boris Johnson said there would be 100 extra buses, extra river services, taxi-sharing at major railway stations, escorted commuter cycle rides into central London, additional cycle parking and a free river shuttle service.
London's mayor Boris Johnson said there will be 100 extra buses, extra river services, escorted cycle rides into central London and extra bike parking. "Pay as you go" Oyster cardholders will be able to use National Rail services in London on Wednesday and Thursday.
General secretary Bob Crow said the union had made every effort during the talks to reach a deal with London Underground over job losses and a pay deal. TfL staff will also be on hand across the bus network and at Tube stations to offer travel advice and distribute walking maps in central London.
Last week London Underground tabled an improved pay offer during talks and urged the union to call off the strike.
'No agreement'
It offered staff a four-year deal of 1.5% this year and then the inflation rate plus 0.5%; or a two-year deal of 1% now and inflation plus 0.5% in year two.
But the RMT wants a 5% pay rise and a promise of no compulsory redundancies.
General secretary Bob Crow said the union had made every effort during the talks to reach a deal with London Underground.
He said: "Not only could the management side not reach an agreement on the kind of deal needed to end this dispute, they also found it difficult to stick to existing agreements on redundancies.He said: "Not only could the management side not reach an agreement on the kind of deal needed to end this dispute, they also found it difficult to stick to existing agreements on redundancies.
"The strike will now go ahead and we expect it to be solidly supported.""The strike will now go ahead and we expect it to be solidly supported."
The union balloted up to 10,000 of its members, including drivers, station staff and maintenance workers.