Tube Strikes Loom

The RMT Union announced the results of its strike ballot, with the results four to one in favor of industrial action over pay and conditions.

"Our members are angry that LUL has not only refused to go to independent mediation to settle this dispute, but has actually lowered its pay offer because we would not sign away our right to strike", said RMT general secretary Bob Crow.

"They also know that they cannot justify still having people on different working hours and people doing the same job but with different pension and travel-pass entitlements".

"We have seen staff levels fall by a third over the last ten years, while passenger numbers are up by 30 per cent and passenger revenue has more than doubled. Our members deserve recognition that they work harder and carry far greater responsibility. Instead they are already being asked to subsidise the guaranteed, risk-free profits being handed to the privateers taking over the LUL infrastructure".

London Underground pointed out that only 3,165 of the 8,000 eligible members actually voted.

The Tube's HR Director, Bob Mason said, "The justification for this ballot action is unclear but I know it has very little to do with pay and conditions. That much is clear from the very small proportion of RMT members who have voted for strike action. This year's pay negotiations ended last month after the unions refused our three per cent unconditional pay offer for 2002."

Tuesday, 3rd September 2002