Drivers on the London Underground have voted to strike over the sacking of a colleague who failed two breathalyser tests.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) backed industrial action over the dismissal of the operator by 299 votes to 221.
The union today questioned the effectiveness of the breathalyser equipment used, warning that health conditions such as diabetes could give false positive results.
Yet London Underground confirmed that acetone produced in the bloodstream of diabetes sufferers – which can affect some types of breathalyser - would not affect the type of equipment it deploys.
Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, Caroline Pidgeon, today blasted the decision by union members, warning an RMT decision to strike over the issue would ‘insult Tube passengers’.
The dismissed train operator failed two unannounced random breath alcohol tests in June last year. At the time, several other employees were tested and all passed the test.
London Underground highlighted that only the number of drivers who voted in favour of the strike represented 8% of all train operators.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ‘Our members have voted for industrial action and the union will now consult extensively with our representatives before deciding on our next moves in this dispute.
‘The union remains available for talks, at Acas if necessary, and as we have already stated we are ready to abide by any decision made at an Employment Tribunal and cannot understand London Underground's reluctance to agree to that course of action.’
Nigel Holness, London Underground operations director on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, said: ‘We operate a zero tolerance approach towards the consumption of alcohol in order to keep customers and staff safe. You wouldn’t let someone who had been drinking alcohol drive your family in a car, and we don’t let people who have been drinking alcohol drive people’s families in Tube trains.
‘As we have made clear, strike threats will not alter our commitment to safety, nor will they make us consider reinstating a driver who failed two alcohol breath tests.
‘I urge the RMT leadership to see sense and recognise that there is simply no point in taking any further action,’ Mr Holness added.
Commenting on the vote, Ms Pidgeon said: ‘Striking for better pay and conditions is one thing, but striking in defence of an employee who has failed two random breath tests is indefensible.
‘The RMT are the first to give lectures about health and safety when it suits their purposes. It is time that on this issue they practised what they preached and put the safety of passengers first.’
