Deal fails to halt Tube strike

The last tube strike brought severe disruption to London

The train drivers' union has called off a strike on London Underground planned for next week, but other Tube workers are to go ahead with industrial action that will cause huge disruption.

Although drivers have called off their planned 29 March action, members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) - including signal workers, station staff and some drivers - will strike.

The RMT action could severely disrupt services, but it is unlikely to be as severe as the previous 24-hour stoppage on 5 February where only one train in 10 operated.

The RMT said its concerns on safety for the future of the underground had still not been addressed.

The union's assistant general secretary, Bob Crow, said there were still too many outstanding safety issues relating to the government's proposed public-private partnership (PPP) for the Tube.

'Massive inconvenience'

"London Underground are light years away from proving that PPP is safe," he said.

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

An LU spokeswoman said: "For the sake of all our passengers...we urge the RMT to return to the negotiating table and resolve this dispute.

"Strike action benefits nobody and only causes massive inconvenience to passengers and London's business community."

The government has been locked in talks with London Mayor Ken Livingstone and his transport commissioner Bob Kiley.

But Transport Minister Lord Macdonald said at the weekend that the government was "close" to reaching a deal on future funding for the underground.