THE TUC has declared its support for Tube workers who are on strike today over the imposition of night working.
Commenting on the strike on the London Underground by ASLEF, RMT, TSSA and Unite members, TUC Assistant General Secretary Paul Nowak said yesterday: ‘The Tube network is vital to the travelling public and the economy, but London Underground must not ride roughshod over the wellbeing of their employees.
‘Any significant change to working hours should be the subject of proper negotiation and agreement. Anyone who was told by their boss that they would have to start working through the night would expect that to be agreed and not imposed,’ he insisted.
ASLEF reported yesterday that London Underground had escalated the dispute by issuing new rosters to depots across the network. These new rosters had not been agreed or negotiated by drivers or their representatives and ASLEF does not recognise them.
Mick Whelan, ASLEF General Secretary, said ‘Our members have rejected the latest offer from the company because they are forcing through new rosters without agreement and offer no firm commitments on work-life balance for train drivers. We support Night Tube. London needs it.
‘We remain prepared to talk at any time to try to find common ground but by forcing these new rosters on train drivers and acting outside of our agreed way of working, senior management are making it even harder to resolve this dispute. The ASLEF Executive Committee meets next week and will discuss our response to these developments.’
Meanwhile, Tube Lines staff are to be balloted for both strike action and action short of a strike over pay and 24-hour working – the Tube Lines staff have received an offer which mirrors the wholly unacceptable proposals presented to the wider London Underground workforce.
The Tube Lines staff maintain the Piccadilly, Northern and Jubilee Lines and their operations are wholly owned by London Underground. RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said yesterday: ‘Tube Lines staff have been offered a deal over the next two years on pay and 24-hour running which mirrors that on offer to the rest of the LU workforce.
‘It is as unacceptable on Tube Lines as it is across the rest of the combine and as a result these essential maintenance staff will now be balloted for both strike action and action short of a strike.’
