Transport for London (TfL) has ‘little interest’ in preventing a 24-hour London Underground strike that could this week plunge the capital into gridlock, unions claim.
Pay negotiators over the new Night Tube continued today after claims London Underground managers had given RMT, ASLEF, TSSA and Unite just hours to agree on a new offer before withdrawing it when agreement wasn’t reached.
RMT, Unite and TSSA members are planning a 24-hour Tube strike from 6:30pm on Wednesday evening (July 8); ASLEF members from 21:30 and RMT staff on First Great Western staff are set to begin 48-hour strike at 18:30 on Wednesday.
Unions and TfL are at loggerheads over plans that would see certain Underground trains running throughout the night from September. Members have voted for mass industrial action over 24 hours from 18:30 on Wednesday 8 July in opposition of staffing arrangements.
London Underground described as ‘very fair’ its offer of a 1% pay increase or a rise in line with RPI - whichever is greater – in 2016 and 2017 plus a £500 launch bonus to all Night Tube staff and a £2,000 transition bonus for train operators.
Sources indicate the offer was put to unions yesterday afternoon on the condition that it would be withdrawn if conditions weren’t accepted by 18:30 and all industrial action suspended.
Lead negotiator for train driver’s union ASLEF, Finn Brennan, today said the approach from TfL was ‘no way to conduct serious negotiations’ and would not give enough time to appropriately consider the offer.
‘For three months they didn’t change their position, then they gave four trade unions one afternoon to unconditionally accept an offer before withdrawing it,’ Mr Brennan added.
‘They have entirely wasted the window of opportunity to resolve this dispute over the last three months and are now trying to blame the trade unions for the impact of their inept tactics.’
Train driver’s union TSSA said it believed London Underground had ‘little interest in reaching an agreement’, stating the latest offer ‘goes no way to addressing some of the key concerns of staff’.
Despite such claims, London Underground this morning said it was with dispute resolution team ACAS until 10pm last night and would be available for talks throughout this week. It also emphasised that it was incorrect to suggest TfL in fact wanted the strike to go ahead.
Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, last night branded the offer from London Underground ‘divisive and unacceptable’, claiming the deal was being financed ‘off the back of the proposed axing of over 800 safety-critical station jobs’.
However Mr Cash today said that the union was ‘prepared to continue the talks process’, adding that the offer submitted by London Underground ‘must remain on the table as a key part of the talks framework and the union issues on a coherent package that addresses work/life balance, equality and safety have to be on the agenda as well’.
Steve Griffiths, London Underground’s chief operating officer, said he had ‘received no response’ to the pay offer from trade unions.
‘Our customers are advised to check the TfL website for the latest information as we seek to resolve the dispute and to keep London moving should the unions go ahead with their action. We are available for talks at ACAS all day,’ Mr Griffith said.
'Londoners and businesses overwhelmingly back the Night Tube. It will make life better for everyone, cut journey times, create jobs and boost the economy. Many of our staff will not be affected by the new services as we are operating Friday and Saturday night services on five lines. We are also hiring 137 more train operators specifically to work on the Night Tube. For those who are affected, it will mean a few extra nights per year within the existing working week.
'No-one is being asked to work more hours than they do now,’ he added.
