Tube strike latest: Crunch talks collapse
Tube strike latest: Crunch talks collapse
Tuesday 9th June 2009
A 48-hour strike on the London Underground is almost certain to take place after talks between company bosses and unions ended without resolution.The RMT union has called on its members to walkout from 19:00 BST on Tuesday until 19:00 BST on Thursday this week.
Drivers, station staff and engineers are all due to go on strike, which, when combined with the fact that non-RMT staff will refuse to cross picket lines, will bring the tube network to a standstill.
The cost of more than 3.5 million people who use the underground having to work from home or not work at all for two days is estimated at £100 million.
London Underground and the RMT had been locked in last-ditch talks to resolve the issues surrounding the strike, which focus on low pay and job insecurity.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow wants a five per cent pay increase for all members and 1,000 redundancies to be scrapped.
This week London Underground came to the table with a four-year deal worth 1.5 per cent in year one and rate of inflation plus 0.5 per cent in subsequent years, or an alternative two-year deal of one per cent now and 0.5 per cent in year two.
However, both were dismissed as "poverty pay" by the RMT.
The tube's interim managing director Richard Parry said it was a "very fair offer".
"There is now no reason whatsoever for the RMT leadership to continue to call for strike action," he said.
"They should call it off immediately and join all other unions in continuing with constructive talks to conclude this agreement."
Related News
UK tax debt 'massive and growing' - 09/06/09
The amount of money owed to UK tax authorities is 'enormous and still growing', MPs have warned
The amount of money owed to UK tax authorities is 'enormous and still growing', MPs have warned
Hundreds of jobs to go as LDV goes into administration - 08/06/09
Birmingham-based van-maker LDV has gone into administration, threatening up to 2,000 UK jobs
Birmingham-based van-maker LDV has gone into administration, threatening up to 2,000 UK jobs
87 per cent of Lloyds shares snapped up - 08/06/09
Investors have bought 87 per cent of shares offered by Lloyds Banking Group, it has been announced
Investors have bought 87 per cent of shares offered by Lloyds Banking Group, it has been announced
Global downturn 'worse than 9/11' for airlines - 08/06/09
The global recession is having a more detrimental effect upon the financial health of the world's airlines than the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks, it was claimed today
The global recession is having a more detrimental effect upon the financial health of the world's airlines than the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks, it was claimed today
Iceland to compensate UK savers - 07/06/09
Iceland has agreed to begin repaying British savers after the UK government had to intervene in the wake of the failure of the Scandinavian state's banking system
Iceland has agreed to begin repaying British savers after the UK government had to intervene in the wake of the failure of the Scandinavian state's banking system
News Article Search
Quick Apply
News Archive