Unions call off next week’s Tube strikes

Strike action across the London Underground next week has been called off by unions in a “major step forward”.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT), ASLEF and Unite unions have suspended all strike action planned for next week on the London Underground.

The tube unions were locked in talks with TfL over a longstanding pensions jobs and working conditions dispute.

RMT have said that TfL made “significant concessions” and there are now longer guarantees on protection of earnings and no pension changes for at least three years.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:  “Our members were prepared to engage in significant disruptive industrial action and I commend their resolve.

“RMT’s strike mandate remains live until October and we are prepared to use it if necessary.

“We will continue to negotiate in good faith as we always have done with TfL and it was only the steadfast commitment of our members in being prepared to take sustained strike action that has forced the employer to make significant concessions.”

Disruption was expected across Tube services from Sunday through to next Saturday.

ASLEF said its action for Wednesday and Friday next week had been called off after a week of “intense negotiations.”

Finn Brennan, ASLEF’s organiser on the Underground, said: “We have made real progress in making sure our members’ working conditions and pensions are protected from the impact of the Tory government cuts to TfL funding.

“This is a major step forward.”

TfL has said any proposal made in the future on the pension agreement would require appropriate consultation and extensive further work.

Glynn Barton, chief operating officer for TfL, said: “We are pleased that the RMT, ASLEF and UNITE have suspended their planned industrial action next week. This is good news for London and we will continue to work closely with our trade unions to discuss the issues and seek a resolution.”

(Picture: TfL)