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Last-minute talks to avert strike Last-minute talks to avert strike
(30 minutes later)
Last-minute talks will be held between London Underground bosses and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union to try to avert a 48-hour Tube strike.Last-minute talks will be held between London Underground bosses and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union to try to avert a 48-hour Tube strike.
Travel chaos could hit millions of passengers if the strike goes ahead at 1859 BST.Travel chaos could hit millions of passengers if the strike goes ahead at 1859 BST.
Fresh talks between the RMT and Tube bosses will be held at the conciliation service Acas. On Monday, talks failed to resolve a row over pay and jobs.Fresh talks between the RMT and Tube bosses will be held at the conciliation service Acas. On Monday, talks failed to resolve a row over pay and jobs.
Mayor Boris Johnson said the strike was "ludicrous and unnecessary disruption".Mayor Boris Johnson said the strike was "ludicrous and unnecessary disruption".
Negotiators from London Underground (LU) have been joined by the RMT's leader Bob Crow at Acas.Negotiators from London Underground (LU) have been joined by the RMT's leader Bob Crow at Acas.
'Unnecessary' disruption'Unnecessary' disruption
Earlier, the RMT said it was also open to more talks with the mayor or transport commissioner.Earlier, the RMT said it was also open to more talks with the mayor or transport commissioner.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown called on both sides to negotiate saying any disruption would be "disappointing and completely unnecessary".A spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown called on both sides to negotiate saying any disruption would be "disappointing and completely unnecessary".
About three million people use the Tube network daily and the strike has been estimated to cost the London economy about £100m, business group, London First said.About three million people use the Tube network daily and the strike has been estimated to cost the London economy about £100m, business group, London First said.
Transport for London (TfL) will also bring in a taxi-sharing scheme at all major rail stations, there will be escorts to lead cyclists across the capital and extra parking will be in place for bicycles as part of its contingency plans.Transport for London (TfL) will also bring in a taxi-sharing scheme at all major rail stations, there will be escorts to lead cyclists across the capital and extra parking will be in place for bicycles as part of its contingency plans.
We will do our utmost to keep Londoners moving while the implacable RMT continue to posture Mayor Boris JohnsonWe will do our utmost to keep Londoners moving while the implacable RMT continue to posture Mayor Boris Johnson
Oyster cards will be accepted on all trains, 100 extra buses and a free River shuttle service will be in place.Oyster cards will be accepted on all trains, 100 extra buses and a free River shuttle service will be in place.
Docklands Light Railway and London Overground services will operate as normal.Docklands Light Railway and London Overground services will operate as normal.
Normal services were expected to resume by Friday morning.Normal services were expected to resume by Friday morning.
The strike could have an impact on fans travelling to England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday evening. England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra at Wembley Stadium will go ahead on Wednesday evening despite concerns for the safety of fans travelling to the game.
Football Association (FA) chief executive Ian Watmore confirmed the match will kick off at 2015 BST as planned.
As Wembley Park Tube station will be closed, the 70,000 supporters will be forced to either use overground services or to go by car, even though there is a lack of parking in the area.As Wembley Park Tube station will be closed, the 70,000 supporters will be forced to either use overground services or to go by car, even though there is a lack of parking in the area.
Last week, the Football Association stopped ticket sales for the game. Last week, the FA stopped ticket sales for the game.
Mr Johnson said: "It is quite simply outrageous for the leadership of the RMT to ask their members, the majority of whom did not vote for this strike, to take part in this ludicrous and unnecessary disruption to our city.Mr Johnson said: "It is quite simply outrageous for the leadership of the RMT to ask their members, the majority of whom did not vote for this strike, to take part in this ludicrous and unnecessary disruption to our city.
"We will do our utmost to keep Londoners moving while the implacable RMT continue to posture."We will do our utmost to keep Londoners moving while the implacable RMT continue to posture.
"My message to the RMT is that strike action will not move the prospect of a deal an inch closer.""My message to the RMT is that strike action will not move the prospect of a deal an inch closer."
Transport 'unreliable'Transport 'unreliable'
The strike could mean England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra at Wembley could be played behind closed doors.
LU had 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.LU had 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.
However, the RMT wants a 5% pay rise and a promise of no compulsory redundancies.However, the RMT wants a 5% pay rise and a promise of no compulsory redundancies.
About 3,000 RMT members voted in favour of the strike.About 3,000 RMT members voted in favour of the strike.
Mr Crow said: "We expect it to be solidly supported."Mr Crow said: "We expect it to be solidly supported."
But he added: "We would not be opposed to going to Acas, but on the day of the strike we need to move quickly and the transport commissioner or the mayor should meet with us directly this morning to try to resolve the dispute."But he added: "We would not be opposed to going to Acas, but on the day of the strike we need to move quickly and the transport commissioner or the mayor should meet with us directly this morning to try to resolve the dispute."
LU's negotiating team went to the offices of Acas on Tuesday morning and urged the RMT to join them for talks.LU's negotiating team went to the offices of Acas on Tuesday morning and urged the RMT to join them for talks.
Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said the union's attitude was "a slap in the face to all hardworking Londoners".Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said the union's attitude was "a slap in the face to all hardworking Londoners".
A spokesman for London First said: "These strikes will cost London's economy around £50m per day and risk sending an unfortunate message to visitors and investors: that London's transport systems are unreliable."A spokesman for London First said: "These strikes will cost London's economy around £50m per day and risk sending an unfortunate message to visitors and investors: that London's transport systems are unreliable."