London Underground track patrol staff are due to strike for 24 hours on Friday but the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has called off a strike by maintenance workers on the same day.
Transport for London (TfL) says it is doing everything it can to ensure the strike does not affect services.
The walkout by track patrol workers begins on 6.30 on Friday morning and the RMT has announced a further six strikes between now and June.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ‘This dispute is over an outrageous attempt to casualise and undermine the jobs of our London Underground track patrol members through an extension of the use of private contractors. The plan must be halted.’
The strike is not expected to affect services for passengers
Steve Griffiths, chief operating officer at London Underground, said: ‘When we introduce the Night Tube we will need some track patrol staff working on Sunday nights rather than Fridays. We’ve given our existing staff the choice whether or not to cover these shifts, which protects their work/life balance. No jobs are at risk and contract staff will only be used temporarily, to cover shifts that our employees choose not to work.
‘This freedom to choose for our staff is part of our pay and Night Tube offer, which the RMT has recommended its members accept. We’ll be doing everything we can to ensure this doesn’t impact services for customers.’
Separately, the RMT has suspended strike action by London Underground maintenance workers, which was also due to take place from Friday morning, after Tube bosses agreed to put changes to working practices on hold for two weeks to allow for a comprehensive safety review.
Mr Cash said: ‘The dispute remains live, further strike action remains in place from early March and the action short of a strike also remains in force.’
Mr Griffiths said: ‘I welcome the RMT’s decision to suspend this action to allow for further talks to take place. Safety is always our top priority and we have robust and comprehensive procedures in place to ensure that any staff working on the track are kept safe.’
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