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London Underground staff balloted over strike action | London Underground staff balloted over strike action |
(35 minutes later) | |
London Underground workers will be balloted for strike action over 750 job cuts and ticket office closures. | |
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said it would "fight" against the plans for all ticket offices to close. | The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said it would "fight" against the plans for all ticket offices to close. |
London Underground (LU) said customers and staff were at the centre of improvements to the Tube. | London Underground (LU) said customers and staff were at the centre of improvements to the Tube. |
The RMT has to hold a two-week ballot and give Transport for London seven days' notice before any strike action takes place. | The RMT has to hold a two-week ballot and give Transport for London seven days' notice before any strike action takes place. |
'Devastating impact' | 'Devastating impact' |
Ticket office closures and plans for 24-hour services were announced last week by London Mayor Boris Johnson. | |
The plans involve the loss of 750 jobs, although London Underground said it would seek to avoid compulsory redundancies. | The plans involve the loss of 750 jobs, although London Underground said it would seek to avoid compulsory redundancies. |
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "It is absolutely clear that the attack on staffing levels and passenger services would have a devastating impact on Tube safety, with assaults and thefts soaring through the roof. | RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "It is absolutely clear that the attack on staffing levels and passenger services would have a devastating impact on Tube safety, with assaults and thefts soaring through the roof. |
"It is also clear that the most vulnerable members of our society would be most at risk when it comes to both violence and access to Tube services. | "It is also clear that the most vulnerable members of our society would be most at risk when it comes to both violence and access to Tube services. |
"As a result, RMT can confirm that the union will be serving notice today for a ballot for both strike action and action short of a strike with the ballot closing in January. | |
Commons motion | |
Phil Hufton, London Underground's chief operating officer, said: "Our commitment is that all Tube stations will remain staffed at all times when services are operating. | |
"In future there'll be more staff in ticket halls and on gatelines [barriers] to help customers buy the right ticket and keep them safe and secure. | |
"We're clear that there'll be a job for everyone at LU who wants to work for us and be flexible, that we'll make these changes with no compulsory redundancies." | |
Tfl is facing a budget reduction of about £78m in the financial years of 2013 and 2014 and said the plans would help it save more than £40m a year. | |
Earlier Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell tabled a Commons motion claiming the plans to close ticket offices would lead to a worse service for passengers. | |
They said the changes would disadvantage disabled travellers and threaten the safety and security of vulnerable groups such as women travelling at night. |