06.04.17
Unions call off Night Tube strike as LU agrees to demands
RMT and Aslef have this week called off strikes on Night Tube scheduled for this Saturday after London Underground (LU) agreed to the unions’ demands.
The industrial action had been called due to the unions taking issue with LU’s policy of “blocking” Night Tube drivers from moving into vacant full-time roles on the Tube for at least 18 months, although other staff working at stations were not restricted in the same way.
RMT Night Tube drivers had voted overwhelmingly against this policy, as 98% voted for action short of a strike and 96% voted for industrial action. Aslef also voted hugely in favour of striking as 100% agreed with industrial action from an impressive 75% turnout.
Peter McNaught, operations director for LU, said he was pleased to have resolved the issues raised by the unions and clarified an agreement with them.
“When we introduced the service, we promised to provide career progression for Night Tube train drivers and we remain committed to doing so,” he said.
Mick Cash, general secretary of RMT, congratulated his members for “standing firm” and delivering a strong message to LU over its “discriminatory” policy.
“It forced LU to see sense and stop discriminating against Night Tube drivers over their career progression,” he said. “It was a senseless and damaging policy that picked out one group of staff for negative treatment and of course the drivers were angry, which is why our members voted overwhelmingly for action.”
And Finn Brennan, Aslef district organiser covering LU, said: “Our aim has always been to make sure that Night Tube drivers were not forced to remain in the role indefinitely, while new recruits took up full-time positions.
“The new proposal means that LU will fill full-time vacancies from waiting lists in-line with agreements and Night Tube drivers will not be ‘jumped’ by new recruits.”
Top Image: TfL
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