The Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) will take industrial action over perceived disparities in their pension and benefits scheme. The strike announcement came after talks broke down with Transport for London (TfL), which is yet to comment on the situation.
The RMT represents around 1,000 Tube workers, largely contracted to the Piccadilly, Jubilee and Northern Lines, as well as those responsible for emergency repair work across the network. The strike could cause large-scale disruption across the system given the importance of the three lines affected.
RMT members voted 4 to 1 in favour of industrial action. The union wants all its members — along with all other staff involved in London Underground (LU) contracts — to follow the same benefits and pension scheme. At present there is no consistent benefits programme for LU workers.
The RMT is yet to set dates for the strikes. Following head of Unite Len McCluskey's threat of action during the Olympics, there will surely be a strong reaction from government agencies attempting to avoid such disruption at all costs.
Photo by Stephskimo in the Londonist Flickr pool.
