Union delays Tube strike ballot

Deep-lying Tube stations have been closed

A union has delayed balloting members over strike action on the Tube after the threat of legal action from London Underground (LU).

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union is considering the industrial action because some staff were sent home without pay, after refusing to work during the firefighters' strike on safety grounds.

LU said it has taken advice and will act against the union if it has legal backing.

As a result the RMT announced that the ballot was being suspended "pending legal advice".

Tube bosses have buckled under political pressure to keep London Underground running

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary

LU has closed 22 deep-lying stations during the strike following a safety assessment and it sent home 29 staff on Friday for not carrying out their duties.

But it says the system is safe and it has addressed safety concerns raised by staff.

The RMT claimed LU was bowing to political pressure and was trying to stop the union protecting its members' safety.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said: "Tube bosses have buckled under political pressure to keep London Underground running despite the dangerously inadequate emergency cover available during the firefighters' strike.

Intimidation claims

"They have cited the blessing of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), but the HSE did not seek the views of the very workers who are now being coerced into working in dangerous conditions."

The RMT claims its members who refused to work during the first firefighters' strike earlier this month are being intimidated.

It wants assurances that no disciplinary action will be taken against them.

In the Commons on Wednesday, the prime minister has told MPs that any action on London Underground linked to the firefighters' strike would be "totally unjustified".

During Prime Minister's Questions, Tony Blair said it was up to LU to decide whether to use the law.

"I am quite sure they will enforce the law in any way they need to", he added.