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Underground workers set to strike Tube workers begin 24-hour strike
(about 1 hour later)
London Underground maintenance workers are set to stage the first in a series of 24-hour strikes in a row over rosters and the outsourcing of work. London Underground maintenance workers have begun the first in a series of 24-hour strikes in a row over rosters and the outsourcing of work.
About 750 Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members are due to walk out from 0645 GMT, union leaders said. About 750 Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members were expected to take part in the walk out from 0645 GMT, union leaders said.
The action will hit lines which were maintained by Metronet, including the Victoria, Bakerloo and Central. The action will hit lines maintained by Metronet, including the Victoria, Bakerloo and Central.
London Underground (LU) said it was intending to operate a good service during the industrial action. London Underground (LU) said it still expected to operate a good service.
The 24-hour strike is due to be followed by stoppages from the same time every Sunday from 14 February until the dispute is resolved. The 24-hour strike will be followed by stoppages from the same time every Sunday from 14 February until the dispute is resolved.
RMT leader Bob Crow said: "LU have been hell bent on confrontation through their tearing up of the signals framework agreement and through the unilateral introduction of new working practices which mean they can make people work what hours they like, when they like.RMT leader Bob Crow said: "LU have been hell bent on confrontation through their tearing up of the signals framework agreement and through the unilateral introduction of new working practices which mean they can make people work what hours they like, when they like.
"RMT members have said enough is enough by voting overwhelmingly for action.""RMT members have said enough is enough by voting overwhelmingly for action."
He added that they had held "extensive talks" with the company on the rostering issue but every proposal from the RMT had "been thrown back in our faces". Roster row
Phil Hufton, LU's chief maintenance officer, said: "Londoners will share our dismay at the RMT's leadership's attempts to jeopardise the Tube's operation over this issue. He added that they had held "extensive talks" with the company on the issue of rosters but every proposal from the RMT had "been thrown back in our faces".
Phil Hufton, LU's chief maintenance officer, said, the issue of rosters affects 30 staff members.
"Londoners will share our dismay at the RMT's leadership's attempts to jeopardise the Tube's operation over this issue.
"We are planning to introduce a roster covering 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure planned engineering staff are always available."We are planning to introduce a roster covering 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure planned engineering staff are always available.
"That agreement already exists, but the RMT is trying to tear it up."That agreement already exists, but the RMT is trying to tear it up.
"We have consulted fully with staff and unions on the proposed changes and we are prepared to continue discussions with the RMT.""We have consulted fully with staff and unions on the proposed changes and we are prepared to continue discussions with the RMT."