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18:03 GMT, Tuesday, 19 August 2008 19:03 UK

New offer ends Tube strike threat

Tube platform

A planned 72-hour Tube strike has been called off following talks between rail unions and management.

Up to 1,000 members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union planned to walk out on Wednesday in protest at a pay offer.

The stoppage was called off after an improved pay offer was made, the RMT said.

The strike could have caused disruption to thousands of commuters on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.

Staff who threatened to strike included track workers, train maintainers and signallers who earn between £30,700 and £50,300.

On Tuesday, their employer Tube Lines offered them a two-year pay deal.

The offer will be worth 4.99% in the first year, while a wage rise in the second year will be pegged to the Retail Prices Index (RPI), currently running at 5%, plus 0.85%.

That compares with the one year pay increase of 4.85% they were originally offered.

It also offered to pay more towards employees' travel costs.

The RMT said it would put the new offer to members in a ballot and recommend that they accept it.

The result of the ballot will decide whether the RMT's planned 72-hour strike on 3 September goes ahead.

'Good deal'

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the deal was the result of "hard negotiating".

He added: "RMT members at Tube Lines are to be congratulated for the unity and commitment they have displayed during this dispute, not least in the face of hostile media coverage."

Tube Lines chief executive Terry Morgan said it was a "good deal" for the firm.

He added: "We are pleased that, following constructive discussions with the RMT today, we have been able to agree in principle a two-year deal that will satisfy all parties."



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Related to this story:
Talks aim to prevent Tube strike (19 Aug 08 |  London )
Tube workers to stage two strikes (13 Aug 08 |  London )
Fresh strikes threatened on Tube (11 Aug 08 |  London )

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