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| Tube strike May 2014: London Underground in talks to avert bank holiday strike action | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Union members are in talks with London Underground managers today to avert another Tube strike over the bank holiday weekend. | Union members are in talks with London Underground managers today to avert another Tube strike over the bank holiday weekend. |
| Unite claims that the network could be “completely shut down” if workers who control the power to lines walk out. | Unite claims that the network could be “completely shut down” if workers who control the power to lines walk out. |
| The 40 technicians, mostly members of the union, work in the control room that provides the electricity for the 270-station network. | The 40 technicians, mostly members of the union, work in the control room that provides the electricity for the 270-station network. |
| The strike is due to start at midnight on Saturday and last the entire weekend until 8am on Tuesday. | The strike is due to start at midnight on Saturday and last the entire weekend until 8am on Tuesday. |
| A spokesman for Unite told The Independent talks on Monday mediated by Acas had been adjourned and started again on Wednesday. | A spokesman for Unite told The Independent talks on Monday mediated by Acas had been adjourned and started again on Wednesday. |
| Transport for London is hoping to run a normal service if the strike goes ahead by replacing the employees. | Transport for London is hoping to run a normal service if the strike goes ahead by replacing the employees. |
| According to the Unite, the “complex” dispute involves the workforce being transferred to other groups, then moved back to London Underground under different conditions. | According to the Unite, the “complex” dispute involves the workforce being transferred to other groups, then moved back to London Underground under different conditions. |
| The change sparked disputes over employees' length of service, affecting pensions and other entitlements. | The change sparked disputes over employees' length of service, affecting pensions and other entitlements. |
| Unite is also demanding more money for its members to train new recruits. | Unite is also demanding more money for its members to train new recruits. |
| Hugh Roberts, a regional officer, said: “There is a real possibility that the Underground could close down over the bank holiday weekend. | Hugh Roberts, a regional officer, said: “There is a real possibility that the Underground could close down over the bank holiday weekend. |
| “Unite is working very hard to achieve a fair settlement for our members – and to avoid the industrial action. The ball is very much in the management’s court.” | “Unite is working very hard to achieve a fair settlement for our members – and to avoid the industrial action. The ball is very much in the management’s court.” |
| Tube strikes in February and at the end of April caused misery for millions of Londoners and tourists. | Tube strikes in February and at the end of April caused misery for millions of Londoners and tourists. |
| A bank holiday walk-out would coincide with strikes on the Heathrow Express train line from the airport to central London. | A bank holiday walk-out would coincide with strikes on the Heathrow Express train line from the airport to central London. |
| On Friday and Monday, services will run every 30 minutes rather than the usual 15 because of staff shortages. | On Friday and Monday, services will run every 30 minutes rather than the usual 15 because of staff shortages. |
| Richard Jones, the head of command and control at London Underground, said the TSSA and RMT had also raised issues around workplace issues and conditions for the power control team. | Richard Jones, the head of command and control at London Underground, said the TSSA and RMT had also raised issues around workplace issues and conditions for the power control team. |
| He said London Underground was "happy to discuss£ anything not already being addressed. | He said London Underground was "happy to discuss£ anything not already being addressed. |
| Mr Jones added: "We are disappointed that the unions have chosen to call strike action and we would urge all unions involved in this dispute to continue discussions to resolve this matter." | Mr Jones added: "We are disappointed that the unions have chosen to call strike action and we would urge all unions involved in this dispute to continue discussions to resolve this matter." |