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Talks to restart in last-ditch effort to head off tube strike Talks break down without agreement on eve of tube strike
(about 1 hour later)
Talks between London Underground officials and unions are expected to restart, in an effort to head off the planned tube strike. Talks between London Underground officials and unions have broken down without agreement on the eve of a planned tube strike, according to union sources.
Thousands of workers from all four unions representing underground staff are set to walk out from Wednesday evening, completely closing the network throughout Thursday. Thousands of workers from all four unions representing underground staff are set to walk out from Wednesday evening, completely closing the underground network throughout Thursday.
Related: Tube strike talks break down after 'final' offerRelated: Tube strike talks break down after 'final' offer
Despite having set a deadline of 6.30pm on Monday to accept a final offer in the dispute over pay and rostas for the impending night tube service, managers have decided to remain available for talks on Tuesday afternoon. Despite having set a deadline of 6.30pm on Monday to accept a final offer in the dispute over pay and rotas for the impending night tube service, managers decided to remain available for talks on Tuesday afternoon. London Underground said it will remain available for last-ditch talks on Wednesday but union negotiators said they saw “no point” in returning before the strike.
Staff voted overwhelmingly for action in separate ballots, with train drivers particularly incensed at demands to work new night and weekend shifts for little compensation. The last, improved offer, was for an average 2% pay rise this year with £2,000 for drivers on the new all-night service. But it was rejected by the RMT, Aslef, TSSA and Unite unions. Staff voted overwhelmingly for action in separate ballots, with train drivers particularly incensed at demands to work new night and weekend shifts for little extra compensation. The last, improved offer was for an average 2% pay rise this year with £2,000 for drivers on the new all-night service. But it was rejected by the RMT, Aslef, TSSA and Unite unions.
No tube services will run from Wednesday evening until the end of Thursday should the strike go ahead, but the Docklands light railway, London overground and other rail services into the capital will still operate. Tube services will wind down from 6pm Wednesday evening and none will run throughout Thursday, but the Docklands light railway, London overground and other rail services into the capital will still operate.
Transport for London said it would run extra bus and river services in the event of a strike, and roadworks would be suspended wherever possible. It warned that all public transport and roads would be much busier than usual.Transport for London said it would run extra bus and river services in the event of a strike, and roadworks would be suspended wherever possible. It warned that all public transport and roads would be much busier than usual.
Tfl will deploy travel ambassadors and volunteers to hand out maps at central London transport hubs and to assist in giving directions, as well as putting marshals at rail-station taxi ranks to manage demand. The congestion charge will still apply. It is also encouraging people to cycle, using their own bike wherever possible. While it will be focussed on replenishing central docking bays for the cycle hire scheme, demand is expected to be intense. Tfl will deploy travel ambassadors and volunteers to hand out maps at central London transport hubs and to assist in giving directions, as well as putting marshals at rail station taxi ranks to manage demand. The congestion charge will still apply.
It is also encouraging people to cycle, using their own bike wherever possible. While it will be focussed on replenishing central docking bays for the cycle hire scheme, demand is expected to be intense.
London Underground’s chief operating officer, Steve Griffiths, said: “Our customers are advised to check the TfL website for the latest information as we seek to resolve the dispute and to keep London moving should the unions go ahead with their action. We are available for talks at Acas all day.London Underground’s chief operating officer, Steve Griffiths, said: “Our customers are advised to check the TfL website for the latest information as we seek to resolve the dispute and to keep London moving should the unions go ahead with their action. We are available for talks at Acas all day.
“Londoners and businesses overwhelmingly back the night tube. It will make life better for everyone, cut journey times, create jobs and boost the economy. Many of our staff will not be affected by the new services as we are operating Friday and Saturday night services on five lines.”“Londoners and businesses overwhelmingly back the night tube. It will make life better for everyone, cut journey times, create jobs and boost the economy. Many of our staff will not be affected by the new services as we are operating Friday and Saturday night services on five lines.”
Mick Cash, general secretary of the RMT union, said: “RMT made it clear yesterday that we are prepared to continue the talks process in line with the normal industrial relations procedure. Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, the train drivers’ union, said the dispute was entirely the fault of TfL, which announced plans for the night tube services “without proper negotiation, on the same day as nearly 1,000 redundancies on the London Underground”.
“That of course means that the detailed offer submitted by LU yesterday must remain on the table as a key part of the talks framework and the union issues on a coherent package that addresses work-life balance, equality and safety have to be on the agenda as well.” He added: “The suspicion is that TfL don’t really want to run the night tube, which is why, after months of not talking to us, they only improved their offer yesterday. We believe in the night tube because we believe that London deserves a 24-hour public transport service. But we also believe in a proper work-life balance for the drivers who are delivering that service.”
In a separate dispute, RMT staff on First Great Western trains will also be striking for 48 hours from 6.30pm on Wednesday, affecting commuter services into the capital as well as trains across the rail network to south-west England and Wales.In a separate dispute, RMT staff on First Great Western trains will also be striking for 48 hours from 6.30pm on Wednesday, affecting commuter services into the capital as well as trains across the rail network to south-west England and Wales.