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London Underground strike: 'Ambassadors' to help travellers London Underground strike: 'Ambassadors' to help travellers
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of Tube "ambassadors" are set to help people travel around London if two planned 48-hour strikes go ahead.Hundreds of Tube "ambassadors" are set to help people travel around London if two planned 48-hour strikes go ahead.
Transport for London (TfL) said the staff would help "beat totally unnecessary industrial action" on 4-5 and 11-12 February.Transport for London (TfL) said the staff would help "beat totally unnecessary industrial action" on 4-5 and 11-12 February.
The RMT union has arranged the strikes in protest at plans to close all ticket offices on the London Underground, with a loss of 750 jobs.The RMT union has arranged the strikes in protest at plans to close all ticket offices on the London Underground, with a loss of 750 jobs.
The RMT said ambassadors are "no way to resolve issues". The union said the idea of using "scab volunteers" was "dangerous nonsense".
The measure is aimed at reducing disruption and will be staffed by TfL and Underground workers who will be deployed to keep stations open and offer advice on alternative travel options.The measure is aimed at reducing disruption and will be staffed by TfL and Underground workers who will be deployed to keep stations open and offer advice on alternative travel options.
Phil Hufton, London Underground's chief operating officer, said the plans for ticket office closures would mean more staff on platforms to help travellers.Phil Hufton, London Underground's chief operating officer, said the plans for ticket office closures would mean more staff on platforms to help travellers.
He said less than 3% of all Tube journeys involved a ticket office payment and the proposals also included a 24-hour service on five Underground lines.He said less than 3% of all Tube journeys involved a ticket office payment and the proposals also included a 24-hour service on five Underground lines.
'Safety critical jobs' 'Another gimmick'
TfL added that the plans would save it £50m a year when it is facing a budget reduction of about £78m in the financial years of 2013 and 2014.TfL added that the plans would save it £50m a year when it is facing a budget reduction of about £78m in the financial years of 2013 and 2014.
Mr Hufton said: "We're also committed to implementing these changes without compulsory redundancies.Mr Hufton said: "We're also committed to implementing these changes without compulsory redundancies.
"Given these assurances, we urge the RMT and TSSA union leaderships to end their strike threats and to work with us to shape the future of the Tube.""Given these assurances, we urge the RMT and TSSA union leaderships to end their strike threats and to work with us to shape the future of the Tube."
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow has said the plans included axing "safety critical jobs" at a time when the network was "under growing pressure from customer demand and needs more staff and not less to ensure safe and efficient operation". RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "The idea that a scab army of volunteers can replace the work of thousands of engineers, drivers, technical and station staff is dangerous nonsense and senior LU officials know that.
"They are conning the public and trying to throw up a smokescreen over the real impact of their cash-led cuts programme."
TSSA rail union leader Manuel Cortes said: "This is yet another gimmick by our publicity-obsessed mayor which shows he is determined to force an unnecessary showdown with the rail unions to further his own naked political ambition.
"His so called ambassadors are merely management strike breakers who will not be able to run anything like a full Tube service if the strike goes ahead in 13 days' time. "
London Underground and the RMT Union have been in talks with conciliation service ACAS this week, but the talks are yet to conclude.London Underground and the RMT Union have been in talks with conciliation service ACAS this week, but the talks are yet to conclude.
The RMT has also announced two 48-hour strikes on the Docklands Light Railway in a dispute over pay and working conditions.The RMT has also announced two 48-hour strikes on the Docklands Light Railway in a dispute over pay and working conditions.
The first will begin on 29 January with the second starting on 4 February and coinciding with the first Underground strike.The first will begin on 29 January with the second starting on 4 February and coinciding with the first Underground strike.