Tube staff stage 24-hour walkout

Staff working at 11 Tube stations are to stage a 24-hour strike on Friday in two separate disputes.

More than 90 Rail Maritime and Transport union staff on the District Line will walk out at 0400 BST over a breakdown of industrial relations.

About 100 staff on the Bakerloo line will strike at the same time to demand the re-instatement of a colleague who they claim was unfairly sacked.

London Underground said it is disappointed at the decision to strike.

The staff on the District Line - the East Ham group - work on stations between Plaistow and Upminster.

"Co-ordinating strike action serves no purpose other than to cause unnecessary concern for our passengers"
London Underground spokesperson

More than 90 members of the group voted by a margin of more than 20-to-one to take action over a breakdown of industrial relations which they claim has been sparked by local management ignoring procedures.

They have also said it is due to the victimisation and harassment of staff and union reps and the sacking of station assistant Sarah Hutchins who had taken time off for pregnancy-related illnesses and after being assaulted at work.

The Bakerloo Line staff work at Charing Cross, Elephant and Castle and Lambeth North stations.

'Unfair sackings'

The RMT said they will be striking for the second time to demand the re-instatement of Jerome Bowes who they claim was unfairly dismissed after defending himself against a violent assault on New Year's Eve.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "These are separate disputes but there is a pattern emerging of unfair sackings, a rise in complaints about bullying and harassment, and the failure of LUL (London Underground Ltd) management to stand by staff who are victims of assault."

A London Underground spokesperson said: "We are disappointed the RMT is planning to take strike action regarding local disputes with London Underground.

"Co-ordinating strike action serves no purpose other than to cause unnecessary concern for our passengers."

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