Tube chiefs could sue RMT on strike
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.LONDON Underground threatened yesterday to sue the RMT rail union for lost revenue over a 24-hour strike due to go ahead this evening.
Management backtracked from an earlier warning of an injunction to prevent the stoppage and claimed that more than 50 per cent of services would be operating.
After an hour-long meeting of its executive, the union said the strike, in protest at a 2.5 per cent pay offer, would go ahead at 7.30pm. An RMT spokesman said the Central Line would be worst hit and the union expected a strong response from members. He said that, although services would be running, some central London stations would be closed because fire regulations demanded full staffing.
The RMT's executive would be standing by today in case of last-minute peace proposals.
The possibility of litigation follows allegations that not all the 7,500 RMT members on the Tube system had received strike ballot papers. Employees had voted by more than two to one for walkouts, but in a ballot that attracted only a 38 per cent response.
An RMT spokesman said the vote had been overseen by the independent Electoral Reform Society, which had reported no irregularities. 'If management has any specific complaints they will be investigated. We suspect that the allegations only refer to very few people,' he said.
Fifteen hours of peace talks broke down on Tuesday after the RMT demanded a pay increase of between 4 and 5 per cent on the basis that management had saved pounds 60m through improved efficiency. An RMT spokesman said: 'Part of that money should be used to reward staff.'
London Underground said the RMT did not understand its financial position and pointed out that other unions had accepted the 2.5 per cent increase.
As the RMT's action loomed after its four-month battle with Railtrack, an internal election promoted a Communist to a senior position.
Bob Crowe, a member of the executive, succeeded right-winger Tony MacGregor as assistant general secretary. Mr Crowe, who is also on the central committee of the Stalinist Communist Party of Britain, was himself an employee of London Underground.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments