Tube Strike August 2015: Last-ditch talks held in attempt to reach Night Tube agreement before strikes go ahead
Rail union leaders will meet London Underground for talks on Monday ahead of planned walk-out
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Your support makes all the difference.London Underground managers are to meet with rail union leaders in a last-ditch attempt to reach an agreement over the upcoming Night Tube service and prevent this week’s strike action.
Four days of travel chaos are expected in the capital if Tube workers go ahead with the two 24-hour walk-outs planned this week.
The first is expected to start at 6:30pm on Tuesday 25 August and the second at 6:30pm on Thursday 27 August causing disruption across the capital for the second time this month.
Unions are in dispute over pay and shifts for the new Night Tube service, which is due to start at weekends from 12 September but which may now be pushed back due to the protracted row, though London Underground claims it is operationally ready for the launch.
RMT Assistant General Secretary Mick Lynch today said the strike action is furthering Tube workers’ cause. Speaking on LBC, he said: “We’re working with London Underground to achieve a settlement,” adding that the Night Tube is one of three issues currently in dispute, which includes the re-structuring of stations and the closure of booking offices.
Monday’s meeting will see leaders from the three striking unions meeting with London Underground heads under the chairmanship of the conciliation service Acas.
The drivers’ union Aslef has said it will not join this week’s strike after taking part in previous industrial action.
The executive of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will meet after the Acas talks to decide whether to call off the strikes.
Unite and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association are also involved in the dispute.
Additional reporting by PA
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