London Underground have begun legal action over transport union Aslef's plans for a series of walkouts beginning on Boxing Day.
The High Court challenge is based on LU's claim that the strike, announced last week, is invalid. Aslef have demanded triple pay and a day off in lieu for working on Boxing Day but although only 25% of the 3500 drivers were scheduled to work on the bank holiday, Aslef has balloted all 2200 of its members for strike action, with 42% voting in favour. Aslef's claim that 92% voted in favour leaves something of a discrepancy.
The walkouts are planned for 24 hours on 26th December, 16th January, 3rd and 13th February. Howard Collins, LU's Chief Operating Officer, said:
'This threat of strike action is disgraceful, and Londoners will share our disbelief at these outrageous claims by Aslef's leadership for even more money to work on a day for which their members are already being paid.'
A previous Boxing Day legal spat between LU and Aslef saw the strikes go ahead. An Aslef spokesperson has expressed disappointment at the challenge:
'I am sure Londoners would prefer LUL to be sitting down with the union hammering out a solution to this dispute rather than wasting time briefing solicitors and wasting money by pouring it into the pockets of barristers. We don’t expect the legal challenge to be successful and all it will do is increase ill-feeling which will make an agreement more difficult to secure.'
The High Court hearing will begin later this week. Keep an eye on the TfL website to see which services will be affected if the strike goes ahead.
