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Tube workers begin 24-hour strike Tube workers begin 24-hour strike
(about 2 hours later)
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.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 were expected to take part in the walk out from 0645 GMT, union leaders said. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said the strike, which began at 0645 GMT, has received "rock solid" support from about 750 of its members.
The action will hit lines maintained by former Metronet employees, including the Victoria, Bakerloo and Central. The action will hit lines which used to be maintained by Metronet, including the Victoria, Bakerloo and Central.
London Underground (LU) said it still expected to operate a good service. London Underground (LU) said it intended to operate a good service.
The 24-hour strike will 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. Warning of disruption, RMT leader Bob Crow said: "Our members are rock solid in their support for this strike and in their determination to defend their jobs and working conditions.
"RMT members have said enough is enough by voting overwhelmingly for action." 'Unjustified action'
Roster row "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."
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".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. A Transport for London spokesperson said: "This is a cynical attempt by the RMT's leadership to try to gain overtime pay for their members.
"Londoners will share our dismay at the RMT's leadership's attempts to jeopardise the Tube's operation over this issue. "They should end this industrial action, the only thing it is achieving is losing their members pay.
"We are planning to introduce a roster covering 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure planned engineering staff are always available. "Despite this unjustified action, it is our intention to operate a good service across the network."
"That agreement already exists, but the RMT is trying to tear it up. Earlier Phil Hufton, LU's chief maintenance officer, said the issue of rosters affected only 30 staff members and that staff and unions were consulted on the proposed changes.
"We have consulted fully with staff and unions on the proposed changes and we are prepared to continue discussions with the RMT."