Tube strike pay talks break down

Three unions are in dispute with London Underground over pay

Talks to avert a new wave of Tube strikes have broken down between London Underground (LU) and three unions.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and Unite will vote on strike action over pay.

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association reversed its acceptance of the pay deal. Transport for London (TfL) said its offer was "very fair".

The unions rejected a two-year pay rise of 1.5% now and a retail price index plus 0.5% rise in year two.

'Damaging dispute'

A spokesman for the RMT said no date had been set for its "imminent" two-week ballot.

If its members voted for industrial action, a strike could take place before the end of December, he added.

Unite regional officer John Morgan-Evans said: "London Underground could have used Monday's meeting at Acas to do some real deal-making to resolve this damaging dispute.

"Instead it has chosen to put the travelling public's journey to work at risk of further disruption."

We continue to urge all unions to put this very fair offer to their members with a recommendation to accept Transport for London spokesman

Managerial and ticket office workers union the TSSA accused London Underground of reneging on a previous offer.

TSSA said it would also consider balloting for strike action.

A TfL spokesman said it had made "a very fair and final above inflation pay offer... in some of the toughest economic times seen in decades".

"TSSA members have already been given a say and those who voted backed it by 85%," he added.

"We continue to urge all unions to put this very fair offer to their members with a recommendation to accept."

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