Unions have accused Transport for London (TfL) of blackmailing their employees over Night Tube arrangements, as it emerged further talks have broken down and sources suggest there was ‘no possibility’ of 24-hour services this year.
The 24-hour Underground services for Fridays and Saturdays were due to start on September 12 on the Jubilee, Victoria, Piccadilly, Central and Northern lines, however the launch was postponed after a bitter fight with unions resulting in strike action earlier this year.
Further talks between London Underground bosses and unions have broken down in acrimony again, with unions suggesting TfL had rejected every offer they made.
Transport Network understands TfL has briefed its own management the very earliest the Night Tube could come in would be spring 2016.
Finn Brennan of the union, Aslef, said: ‘We have made it clear to London Underground that we want to keep talking and develop a solution that delivers night Tube while protecting and improving work life balance for our members.
‘We have put forward a number of proposals to resolve this dispute in a way that is fair and benefits both sides.
‘London Underground has rejected them all. Most disappointingly of all they have decided to blackmail their own employees by refusing to make a pay offer unless staff agree to worsen their working conditions.’
At the time of writing Transport Network was awaiting a TfL response.
Labour have pinned the blame firmly on London mayor, Boris Johnson, with Sadiq Khan, the party's candidate for mayor in 2016, stating: 'Boris Johnson could get the night tube up and running tomorrow if he chose to. This is yet another sign of his failed approach to industrial relations, which has led to more strike days under his time at City Hall than under the previous Mayor.
'Boris needs to pull his finger out and get round the table with the unions to negotiate a solution to this sorry state of affairs.'
