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Tube strike travel chaos expected Tube strike travel chaos expected
(about 3 hours later)
Tube passengers have been warned to expect travel chaos after union leaders confirmed a 72-hour strike would definitely begin on Monday. Tube passengers are braced for travel chaos after union leaders confirmed a 72-hour strike would start on Monday.
The Rail Maritime and Transport union said more than 2,300 of its members will walk out at 1800 BST on 3 September. The Rail Maritime and Transport union said more than 2,300 members will walk out at 1800 BST.
The strike action is due to a row over predicted job losses due to the collapse of maintenance firm Metronet. The action has been called in response to concerns over predicted job losses with the collapse of maintenance firm Metronet.
London's mayor said workers had been assured there would be no job cuts. A Transport for London spokesperson said it was still hopeful that the strike would not go ahead.
The strike is expected to last from 1800 BST Monday, 3 September to 1800 BST on Thursday, 6 September. The strike is expected to last until 1800 BST on Thursday 6 September.
The RMT predicts that the Tube network will "grind to a halt" as a result of the industrial action over the strike. It would be incomprehensible to disrupt the lives of millions of Londoners and lose their members significant amounts of pay London mayor Ken Livingstone
On Sunday, general secretary Bob Crow said: "There has been no contact over the weekend from Metronet or the administrator so as far as we are concerned the strike will definitely go ahead." On Sunday RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "There has been no contact over the weekend from Metronet or the administrator so as far as we are concerned the strike will definitely go ahead."
There has been no contact over the weekend from Metronet or the administrator so as far as we are concerned the strike will definitely go ahead Bob Crow, RMT general secretary The RMT predicts that the Tube network will "grind to a halt" as a result of the industrial action.
The RMT said Metronet had failed to offer the "unequivocal" guarantees on maintenance workers' jobs, transfers and pensions it was seeking. Members from the Amicus section Unite, a new union formed in May this year uniting members from Amicus and the T&G, are also expected to strike on Monday.
But on Friday London mayor Ken Livingstone said all Metronet employees had been given written assurances that there would be no reduction in jobs or transfers of employees from Metronet during the period of administration.
The firm collapsed in July this year.
Mr Livingstone also said they had been assured that their pensions would be fully protected.
"I can confirm that no Metronet employees will lose a penny of their pensions."
"This meets all of the concerns that you raised with me when we met and provides you with clear assurances that no Metronet employees will suffer loss of pensions, jobs or be transferred as a result of the collapse of Metronet.
"Under these circumstances the strikes called for 3 September should not proceed."
Administration period
But Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, said a letter from Metronet and the administrator fell "way short" of the guarantees workers deserved.
He said the only assurances received are related to jobs and transfers and cover only the period of administration.
"That is simply not good enough," he said.
He warned of a second 72-hour strike on 10 September if the issue was not resolved.
Members from Unite, a new union formed in May this year uniting members from Amicus and the Transport General Worker's union, are also expected to strike on Monday.
Additionally, members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) union are due to walkout for 48 hours on Tuesday 4 September.Additionally, members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) union are due to walkout for 48 hours on Tuesday 4 September.
Both strikes are also linked to the collapse of Metronet.Both strikes are also linked to the collapse of Metronet.
On Friday London mayor Ken Livingstone said all Metronet employees had been given written assurances that there would be no reduction in jobs or transfers of employees from Metronet.
Administration period
The company collapsed in July during the period of administration.
Mr Livingstone also said they had been assured that their pensions would be fully protected.
A Transport for London spokesperson said: "We have been informed that the TSSA and Amicus Section of Unite trade unions will be meeting on Monday and we fully expect them to call off the strike as they have received all of the assurances they have requested.
"We would expect the RMT to also consider the letters it has received from the Mayor and their direct employers, the Administrator and Metronet, which meet all of the concerns they have raised and in that light not proceed with the strike."
But RMT General secretary Bob Crow said Metronet had failed to offer the "unequivocal" guarantees on maintenance workers' jobs, transfers and pensions.
He said the only assurances received were related to jobs and transfers and covered only the period of administration.
He warned of a second 72-hour strike on 10 September if the issue was not resolved.
Mr Livingstone said: "It would be incomprehensible to disrupt the lives of millions of Londoners and lose their members significant amounts of pay when all of the assurances they have asked for have been given."