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Piccadilly line Tube drivers to strike over 'bullying' | Piccadilly line Tube drivers to strike over 'bullying' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Piccadilly line Tube drivers have voted to strike after the RMT union accused London Underground managers of "bullying, harassment and intimidation". | Piccadilly line Tube drivers have voted to strike after the RMT union accused London Underground managers of "bullying, harassment and intimidation". |
The union says the "comprehensive breakdown in industrial relations" is related to problems with the "ageing" fleet of Piccadilly line trains. | The union says the "comprehensive breakdown in industrial relations" is related to problems with the "ageing" fleet of Piccadilly line trains. |
Transport for London (TfL) urged the RMT not to "subject Londoners to another pointless strike". | Transport for London (TfL) urged the RMT not to "subject Londoners to another pointless strike". |
No strike date has yet been announced. | No strike date has yet been announced. |
Safety concerns | Safety concerns |
The Piccadilly line, the fourth busiest on the Underground, has been the focus of a long-running industrial dispute over safety. | The Piccadilly line, the fourth busiest on the Underground, has been the focus of a long-running industrial dispute over safety. |
In January, a door opened on a moving train as it approached Heathrow, prompting an inspection of the whole fleet. | In January, a door opened on a moving train as it approached Heathrow, prompting an inspection of the whole fleet. |
TfL said it was an "isolated incident", but the RMT denies this. | TfL said it was an "isolated incident", but the RMT denies this. |
"There are major problems with the rolling stock that are not being addressed," a spokesman for the union told the BBC. | "There are major problems with the rolling stock that are not being addressed," a spokesman for the union told the BBC. |
"Despite the fact that we've got members in the depot working to try to keep the fleet going, we've got problems with doors opening between stations, wheel flats [that affect braking] and signals being passed at danger." | "Despite the fact that we've got members in the depot working to try to keep the fleet going, we've got problems with doors opening between stations, wheel flats [that affect braking] and signals being passed at danger." |
RMT general secretary Mick Cash added: "Those issues have left drivers in a vulnerable position and have been used by management as a tool to harass and threaten members through misuse of the disciplinary procedure." | |
'Unnecessary strike action' | 'Unnecessary strike action' |
Pat Hansberry, Operations Director for London Underground, said: "It is disappointing that the RMT is once again threatening unnecessary strike action without seeking to resolve these local issues with us first. | Pat Hansberry, Operations Director for London Underground, said: "It is disappointing that the RMT is once again threatening unnecessary strike action without seeking to resolve these local issues with us first. |
"We urge the RMT to continue talks with us to resolve their issues rather than threatening to subject Londoners to another pointless strike." | "We urge the RMT to continue talks with us to resolve their issues rather than threatening to subject Londoners to another pointless strike." |
Piccadilly line trains are known as "1973 stock", although they came into service later that decade. | Piccadilly line trains are known as "1973 stock", although they came into service later that decade. |
They are now among the oldest trains on the London Underground. | They are now among the oldest trains on the London Underground. |
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