Tube workers strike ballot over pay

Three million people could be affected by the strike

Tube passengers could be just weeks away from travel misery as the threat of strike action looms in a dispute over pay.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) is sending ballot papers to its 8,500 members to decide whether to go-ahead with a series of 24-hour, or even 48-hour, stoppages in September.

Talks between the union and London Underground failed after the company refused to go to independent, non-binding mediation.

The dispute concerns an initial pay offer from LU of 3.2% with a no-strike clause which the RMT turned down.

Later a 2.5% offer was increased to 3% which was also refused by the union.

But LU said it intends to bring in the rise anyway.

Last month three million people were affected by a stoppage over safety concerns.