RMT warns of strike over pensions

About 22,000 RMT members belong to the pension scheme

London transport workers could go on strike in a row over pensions, the RMT has warned.

The union wants Transport for London (TfL) to oppose changes it claims will undermine the rights of people who leave their jobs due to ill-health.

A TfL spokesman said it had not proposed any changes to the scheme, which is run independently.

The TfL Pension Fund affects more than 22,000 people working for London Underground, Metronet and Tube Lines.

Legislative change

The RMT said it will consider itself in dispute unless it receives assurances, by Wednesday, that TfL will not back what it says are "cost-cutting" changes.

A TfL spokesman said: "The TfL Pension Scheme Trustees... are currently considering how to ensure the TfL Pension Scheme meets a legislative change.

"We understand this will be done in consultation with trade unions."

Bob Crow, general secretary for the RMT, said the changes would dramatically affect workers.

"At present, ill-health pensions are granted to workers in the TfL fund whose ill-health makes them unfit to do their particular job.

"Proposed changes could mean that anyone capable of earning an income, regardless of how small, would probably not qualify for or retain an ill-health pension."