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Tube workers to stage two strikes Tube workers to stage two strikes
(about 2 hours later)
Up to 1,000 London Underground workers are holding two 72-hour strikes in a row over pay and conditions.Up to 1,000 London Underground workers are holding two 72-hour strikes in a row over pay and conditions.
The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said members working for maintenance firm Tube Lines would walk out on 20 August and on 3 September.The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said members working for maintenance firm Tube Lines would walk out on 20 August and on 3 September.
The RMT claimed the company's pay offer would leave staff worse off than those working in other parts of the network.The RMT claimed the company's pay offer would leave staff worse off than those working in other parts of the network.
Tube Lines said its pay and conditions were "very competitive" and it was disappointed with the RMT's stance.Tube Lines said its pay and conditions were "very competitive" and it was disappointed with the RMT's stance.
Maintenance workers voted by more than three-to-one in favour of industrial action.Maintenance workers voted by more than three-to-one in favour of industrial action.
'Inferior deal' A TfL spokeswoman said it was hopeful that strike action could be avoided and it would endeavour to keep the trains running should the strikes go ahead as planned.
They were offered a one year deal at 4.8% or a two year agreement worth 4.95% in the first year one and Retail Price Index inflation plus 0.75% in year two. The affected lines would be the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Northern.
The union said it was inferior to the deal accepted by workers employed by Metronet, who this year were given a 5.1% pay rise in the third year of a three year agreement.
But a Tube Lines spokesman said its "pay and conditions are very competitive and among the best in the rail industry".
"We are disappointed the RMT is taking this stance and passengers have every right to feel angry over the proposed action," he said.
"The RMT's vote against the offer and the length of their proposed action defy reason and perhaps suggests there is an ulterior motive behind the rejection."
Tube Lines maintains track and trains on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines and operates emergency response units across the underground network.
'Enormous profits'
Staff taking part in the strike include track workers, train maintainers and signallers who earn about £30,700, £34,500 and £50,300 respectively.Staff taking part in the strike include track workers, train maintainers and signallers who earn about £30,700, £34,500 and £50,300 respectively.
They will walk out at 1200 BST next Wednesday and again from noon on 3 September. They will walk out at 1200 BST on 20 August and again from noon on 3 September.
The RMT has also announced that more than 700 Tube cleaners will strike for a third time in their bid to secure a London living wage. The RMT has also announced that more than 700 Tube cleaners will strike for a third time in their bid to secure greater pay.
The union said its members, who are employed by four cleaning contractors, will not turn up for their shifts on 21 August.The union said its members, who are employed by four cleaning contractors, will not turn up for their shifts on 21 August.
Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said Tube Lines employees did the same work as those on Metronet contracts and were not prepared to be "worse off".
"Tube Lines has made enormous profits on the backs of our members' hard work, yet they seem to expect that they will accept an inferior deal on pay, pensions and conditions," he said.