Tube passengers face travel chaos after a union said a 72-hour strike by maintenance workers would go ahead.
Tube passengers face travel chaos after a union said a 72-hour strike by maintenance workers would go ahead.
The RMT union said more than 2,300 members were due to walk out at 1800 BST, but services will be reduced from 1630 BST in advance of the strike.
The RMT union said more than 2,300 members were due to walk out at 1800 BST, but services will be reduced from 1630 BST in advance of the strike.
The action is over fears of job losses and reduced pensions following the collapse of maintenance firm Metronet.
The action is over fears of job losses and reduced pensions following the collapse of maintenance firm Metronet.
The union Unite called off its planned action after receiving assurances from Metronet and the mayor.
The union Unite called off its planned action after receiving assurances from Metronet and the mayor.
A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said it was still hopeful the RMT strike would not go ahead.
A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said it was still hopeful the RMT strike would not go ahead.
But passengers are being urged to complete their journeys by 1700 BST on Monday.
But passengers are being urged to complete their journeys by 1700 BST on Monday.
London Underground (LU) warned it would start reducing services from about 1630 BST.
London Underground (LU) warned it would start reducing services from about 1630 BST.
LU said in a statement: "To ensure the safe operation of the network, it will be necessary to get trains back to depots before strike action commences."
LU said in a statement: "To ensure the safe operation of the network, it will be necessary to get trains back to depots before strike action commences."
It said the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, which are maintained by Tube Lines, would be running.
It said the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, which are maintained by Tube Lines, would be running.
'No guarantees'
'No guarantees'
The RMT and two other unions have been seeking guarantees there will be no job losses, forced transfers or cuts in pensions as a result of Metronet's collapse in July, when it went into administration.
The RMT and two other unions have been seeking guarantees there will be no job losses, forced transfers or cuts in pensions as a result of Metronet's collapse in July, when it went into administration.
Unite said on Monday its 500 members would not be going on strike.
Unite said on Monday its 500 members would not be going on strike.
Regional officer Brian Harris said: "After days of intense negotiations we're pleased to announce that Unite is calling off its industrial action at Metronet."
Regional officer Brian Harris said: "After days of intense negotiations we're pleased to announce that Unite is calling off its industrial action at Metronet."
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) will announce later whether a planned 48-hour strike for Tuesday will go ahead.
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) will announce later whether a planned 48-hour strike for Tuesday will go ahead.
Affected underground lines BakerlooCentralVictoriaCircleDistrictEast LondonHammersmith & CityMetropolitanWaterloo & City
AFFECTED UNDERGROUND LINES BakerlooCentralVictoriaCircleDistrictEast LondonHammersmith & CityMetropolitanWaterloo & City
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."
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."
He said the union had not received the "copper-bottomed guarantees" it had been seeking.
He said the union had not received the "copper-bottomed guarantees" it had been seeking.
The only assurances received so far were related to jobs and transfers and covered only the period of administration, he added.
The only assurances received so far were related to jobs and transfers and covered only the period of administration, he added.
He warned of a second 72-hour strike on 10 September if the issue was not resolved.
He warned of a second 72-hour strike on 10 September if the issue was not resolved.
The RMT predicts the Tube network will "grind to a halt" as a result of the industrial action.
The RMT predicts the Tube network will "grind to a halt" as a result of the industrial action.
It would be incomprehensible to disrupt the lives of millions of Londoners London mayor Ken Livingstone
It would be incomprehensible to disrupt the lives of millions of Londoners London mayor Ken Livingstone
A spokesman said services would still run, but any problems with maintenance of trains, tracks or signalling would not be repaired.
A spokesman said services would still run, but any problems with maintenance of trains, tracks or signalling would not be repaired.
"If anything goes wrong, it will stay wrong," he said.
"If anything goes wrong, it will stay wrong," he said.
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has said all Metronet employees were given written assurances there would be no reduction in jobs or transfers of employees from Metronet.
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has said all Metronet employees were given written assurances there would be no reduction in jobs or transfers of employees from Metronet.
Mr Livingstone also said staff had been assured their pensions would be fully protected.
Mr Livingstone also said staff had been assured their pensions would be fully protected.
He 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."
He 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."
Dan Hodges, Director of TfL, said: "We have been asking RMT to tell us what further guarantees they require to avert this dispute.
Dan Hodges, Director of TfL, said: "We have been asking RMT to tell us what further guarantees they require to avert this dispute.
"We have been waiting since Sunday afternoon and have still received no communications from them."
"We have been waiting since Sunday afternoon and have still received no communications from them."
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Are you worried about your journey home? Have you made alternative travel plans? Send us your comments with the form below. Or send us your text messages to 61124
