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Tube strike threat increases as second union reveals vote on industrial action Tube strike threat increases as second union plans vote on industrial action
(35 minutes later)
The threat of strikes on London Underground over plans to close ticket offices has increased after a second union announced a ballot for industrial action.The threat of strikes on London Underground over plans to close ticket offices has increased after a second union announced a ballot for industrial action.
Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) will vote in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of action in protest at the closure of all 260 Tube ticket offices, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) will vote in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of action in protest at the closure of all 260 tube ticket offices, with the loss of hundreds of jobs.
The Rail Maritime and Transport union is due to announce on Friday whether its members have voted to strike.The Rail Maritime and Transport union is due to announce on Friday whether its members have voted to strike.
The TSSA union gave London Underground seven days' notice of a ballot, which will start on 17 January and end on 27 January. In the event of a yes vote, any industrial action could start from 3 February, with the two unions likely to co-ordinate strikes.The TSSA union gave London Underground seven days' notice of a ballot, which will start on 17 January and end on 27 January. In the event of a yes vote, any industrial action could start from 3 February, with the two unions likely to co-ordinate strikes.
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes blamed the ballot on the "reckless" behaviour of the London mayor, Boris Johnson, who he said was refusing to meet the unions over their genuine fears for safety and security. The TSSA's general secretary, Manuel Cortes, blamed the ballot on the "reckless" behaviour of the London mayor, Boris Johnson, who he said was refusing to meet the unions over their genuine fears for safety and security.
Cortes said: "It was the mayor who came into office in 2008 with a firm pledge to keep open every ticket office on the grounds of keeping passengers safe and secure at all times. Now he wants to scrap the lot, claiming there will be no problems because he will keep staff on station platforms, those that keep their jobs, that is. Cortes said: "It was the mayor who came into office in 2008 with a firm pledge to keep open every ticket office on the grounds of keeping passengers safe and secure at all times. Now he wants to scrap the lot, claiming there will be no problems because he will keep staff on station platforms – those that keep their jobs, that is.
"He wants to scrap permanent station supervisors who are in charge of evacuations and replace them with mobile supervisors who will travel from station to station. But he will not answer the question: 'How mobile can you be if all lines are in lockdown because of an emergency and nothing is moving whatsoever?' " "He wants to scrap permanent station supervisors who are in charge of evacuations and replace them with mobile supervisors who will travel from station to station. But he will not answer the question: 'How mobile can you be if all lines are in lockdown because of an emergency and nothing is moving whatsoever?'"
Transport for London said sales at ticket offices only accounted for about 3% of all journeys. It has said staff would be switched to station concourses.Transport for London said sales at ticket offices only accounted for about 3% of all journeys. It has said staff would be switched to station concourses.
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