London Tube Piccadilly Line staff vote for strike action

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22477769

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Tube services could be hit after the RMT transport union voted in favour of industrial action over a series of disputes.

Staff on the Piccadilly Line voted to go on strike.

Drivers on the Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines have voted for industrial action short of a strike.

The RMT said it was "stepping up the fight to protect agreements" but TfL said a strike would be "completely unnecessary and very disappointing".

The RMT also announced that cleaners working for Danish multi-national ISS on the Tube have voted by 100% for strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions.

Meanwhile, electricians and engineers working for contractors Mitie on a Transport for London (TfL) contract have voted for strike action in a dispute over redundancies and working conditions.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "The outcome of these separate ballots will now be considered by RMT's executive but the message could not be clearer.

"We are stepping up the fight to protect agreements, jobs and working conditions across the whole of London and to eliminate the scourge of poverty pay on cleaning contracts."

Piccadilly Line London Underground (LU) manager Phil O'Hare said: "The RMT's threat of strike action on the Piccadilly Line is completely unnecessary and very disappointing."

On the Tube cleaners LU dispute, he said: "We urge both parties to work together to resolve this matter through constructive discussions and without the threat of industrial action. "

On the dispute with electricians and engineers, LU said: "Less than 40% of those balloted have voted for any industrial action, and discussions are ongoing."