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Talks hope to avert Tube strike Tube strike talks are adjourned
(about 10 hours later)
Talks aimed at preventing a threatened strike by London Underground workers are due to take place on Friday. Talks aimed at preventing a threatened London Underground (LU) workers strike have been adjourned without success.
The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union is balloting 6,500 of its members over claims a 4% pay rise has been withheld from last April. LU managers met with union representatives, including the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, but no deal was struck.
London Underground (LU) said once its offer of a three-year above-inflation pay rise was accepted, RMT members would be entitled to the pay increase. The RMT is balloting 6,500 of its members over claims a 4% pay rise has been withheld from last April.
LU said once an above-inflation, three-year pay rise offer was accepted, RMT members would be due a pay rise.
The result of the ballot is due later this month.The result of the ballot is due later this month.
Golden opportunity 'Hopeful'
The RMT's general secretary Bob Crow said the talks represented a "golden opportunity" to resolve the dispute. An LU spokesman said the talks had been constructive.
He said: "London Underground again put forward what is a very fair, final three-year pay and conditions offer.
"It is a three-year deal with an above inflation pay rise in each year, plus a cash bonus for all staff if customer satisfaction targets are met or exceeded.
"We are hopeful that we can reach an agreement without the need for industrial action."
The RMT's general secretary Bob Crow said before the talks that they represented a "golden opportunity" to resolve the dispute.
He added: "Our members have been waiting since last April for the pay rise that is due to them, and all we have sought for the last year is the opportunity to negotiate seriously."He added: "Our members have been waiting since last April for the pay rise that is due to them, and all we have sought for the last year is the opportunity to negotiate seriously."
An LU spokesman said: "We have not refused to pay an increase this year. We have made a very fair three-year offer which has been on the table for a number of months.
"As soon as the offer is accepted, RMT members will be entitled to their pay increase for this year."