New Underground strike threatened

A 48-hour strike in June severely affected the Underground

London Underground workers will vote on whether to stage a strike over pay, unions have said.

Staff have rejected an offer of a 1.5% pay increase this year followed by an inflation plus 0.5% rise in April 2010.

Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) general secretary Bob Crow said: "We have no option but to begin the process of balloting for further action."

Transport for London (TfL) condemned the threat and said their pay offer was "fair and final".

'Achieve nothing'

The union held a 48-hour strike in June which severely affected services.

But Mr Crow said: "RMT representatives have worked long and hard to reach agreement but we have not been able to secure an acceptable offer on pay.

"We are looking for a pay offer that matches up to deals elsewhere in our industry and reflects the real costs of living and working in an expensive city like London."

It is thought Tube workers will be balloted over the next few weeks.

Richard Parry, managing director of London Underground, said: "Londoners will find another RMT strike threat hard to take, especially when we are offering a two-year above inflation pay offer.

Another strike will achieve nothing except lose staff more pay and cause unnecessary frustration Richard Parry, London Underground

"Many Londoners have seen their pay frozen or have lost their jobs this year. In contrast, we are offering stability and security in one of the toughest economic climates in decades."

He added: "Another strike will achieve nothing except lose staff more pay and cause unnecessary frustration and disruption to Londoners."

LU said later that members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association had voted overwhelmingly to accept the same pay offer.

Mr Parry said: "I welcome TSSA members' acceptance of our very fair pay offer, and their leadership's willingness to put the offer to those members."