Tube strike talks fail

Last month's tube strike saw long queues at bus stops

Hopes of averting a 24-hour strike on the London Underground are fading.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) is determined to go ahead with Thursday's action following talks with Underground officials.

The 90-minute meeting ended on Monday morning without the two parties reaching a solution.

The union fears safety will be compromised and jobs lost under government plans to turn the tube over to a public private partnership (PPP).

Further talks planned

An official for the union which represents signal workers, station staff and some drivers, said after the talks: "The strike most definitely remains on."

Further negotiations are due to be held at Acas, the conciliation service.

The tube drivers' union Aslef pulled out of the planned strike last week.

It said it was satisfied with guarantees given by LU on job security, pay and conditions.

Less disruption

This means the disruption is likely to be less severe than the stoppage on 5 February when only one train in 10 operated.

An LU spokeswoman said last week: "Strike action benefits nobody and only causes massive inconvenience to passengers and London's business community."

Weekend talks between the government and transport commissioner Bob Kiley also failed to reach an agreement over PPP.