Another Union Talks Christmas Tube Strikes

The threat of Tube strikes over Christmas grew today after another union said it would ballot members over industrial action. Members of Aslef are unhappy about new timetables on the Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, which they say require drivers to arrive earlier and leave later than before. Drivers at the Neasden depot are going to vote on the move, which if it went ahead would also scupper the Circle line, which uses the same facilities. In a separate move, RMT members are also going to be balloted later in the year for possible strike action through the festive season. It may be an balmy late October right now, but between this and the post strike, that winter of discontent is brewing on the horizon like the inevitable post-Christmas party hangover.