Tube passengers are braced for travel chaos this week after unions confirmed a 72-hour strike by maintenance workers would start on Monday.
Tube passengers are braced for travel chaos this week after unions confirmed a 72-hour strike by maintenance workers would start on Monday.
The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said more than 2,300 members would walk out at 1800 BST.
The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said more than 2,300 members would walk out at 1800 BST.
The action was called in response to fears of job losses after the collapse of maintenance firm Metronet.
The action was called in response to fears of job losses after the collapse of maintenance firm Metronet.
A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said it was still hopeful the strike would not go ahead.
A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said it was still hopeful the strike would not go ahead.
Howard Collins, of London Underground, warned that if the strike went ahead, services on the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines would start being reduced from about 1630 BST.
Howard Collins, of London Underground, warned that if the strike went ahead, services would start being reduced from about 1630 BST.
But he assured customers that the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines would be running.
But he assured commuters that the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines would be running.
The RMT and two other Tube unions want 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 Tube unions want 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.
'No guarantees'
'No guarantees'
A spokesman for the union Unite said up to 500 members would be taking part in industrial action alongside the RMT.
A spokesman for the union Unite said up to 500 members would be taking part in industrial action alongside the RMT.
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.
Tube lines affected by action BakerlooCentralVictoria
Affected underground lines BakerlooCentralVictoriaCircleDistrictEast LondonHammersmith & CityMetropolitanWaterloo & City
The two unions have hundreds of members between them.
The two unions have hundreds of members between them.
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.
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.
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.
Mr Livingstone also said they had been assured that their pensions would be fully protected.
Mr Livingstone also said they had been assured that 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. We have been waiting since Sunday afternoon and have still received no communications from them."
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."
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