Unions vote for three days of tube strikes

Tube drivers have voted to take three days of strike action over pay, the night tube and cuts to station staffing numbers.

ASLEF, RMT and UNITE announced that members on the London Underground would strike for 24 hours from 2115 GMT on Tuesday 26 January to 2114 GMT on Wednesday 27 January.

They will also strike from 2115 GMT on Monday 15 February to 2114 GMT on Tuesday 16 February, as well as from 2115 GMT on Wednesday 17 February to 2114 GMT on Thursday 18 February.

The strike will result in a complete shutdown of the tube during those times.

ASLEF's Finn Brennan claims it isn't a decision they've taken lightly.

"We genuinely regret the inconvenience that will be caused but the behaviour of London Underground's senior management team have left us with no other choice."

He said the union's negotiating team last met transport officials in November, and said since then they have refused to come to the table.

"When an employer is simply not prepared to talk, then our only option is to take industrial action. We want to see an all-night service introduced, and we are not opposed to the recruitment of part time staff. But we will not accept a zero hours' culture being introduced and working conditions undermined."

However London Underground has condemned the planned strikes

“The unions’ position is absurd and detached from the real world," said Chief Operating Officer for London Underground Steve Griffiths.

"Apparently, above-inflation pay rises, the creation of 700 more Tube jobs and the total protection of the work-life balance of existing staff are grounds for strikes.

"The truth is that they expect our customers to pay for their excessive demands for even more money, fewer hours and a four day week. No employer could allow this and strike action will change nothing. There is no more money."

Griffiths said the four-year pay offer is "extremely fair" and argued management have gone the extra mile to protect the work-life balance of all staff.

"We will have hired around 700 additional staff, which gives total protection of work-life balance. This is precisely what the unions have asked for, making their call for strikes even more astonishing."