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| Tube strike off: Unions suspend action amid reported deal on ticket office closures | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The TSSA and RMT unions are to suspend planned strikes on the London Underground after reaching a deal over ticket office closures. | The TSSA and RMT unions are to suspend planned strikes on the London Underground after reaching a deal over ticket office closures. |
| A second 48-hour strike was due to begin at 9pm this evening after talks aimed at resolving the dispute over the proposed closure of ticket offices appeared to have failed. | A second 48-hour strike was due to begin at 9pm this evening after talks aimed at resolving the dispute over the proposed closure of ticket offices appeared to have failed. |
| This morning the TSSA confirmed that they would not take part in strike action. The RMT also later confirmed they had cancelled the planned strike. | |
| RMT general secretary Bob Crow said unions had received proposals that halted implementation of job cuts, so that discussions can be held "away from the pressure cooker". | |
| The strike was threatened in response to controversial plans to close 260 ticket offices that would result in the loss of around 950 jobs. | |
| Londoners were bracing for further disruption following action last week that saw what the RMT described as 'lethal overcrowding' . | Londoners were bracing for further disruption following action last week that saw what the RMT described as 'lethal overcrowding' . |
| Earlier today Fulham football club warned that strike action could lead to the cancellation of their Premier League match. | Earlier today Fulham football club warned that strike action could lead to the cancellation of their Premier League match. |
| An Acas spokesman said: "Talks have adjourned at Acas this morning. London Underground will be writing to the trade unions with some proposals to end this dispute. | An Acas spokesman said: "Talks have adjourned at Acas this morning. London Underground will be writing to the trade unions with some proposals to end this dispute. |
| "We are hopeful of a positive response so that the proposed industrial action will be withdrawn." | "We are hopeful of a positive response so that the proposed industrial action will be withdrawn." |
| The TSSA later confirmed it had suspended its strike after reaching a last-minute deal at Acas with LU. | The TSSA later confirmed it had suspended its strike after reaching a last-minute deal at Acas with LU. |
| We've suspended #tubestrike as have agreed a process where all our serious concerns over safety & job losses can be addressed | We've suspended #tubestrike as have agreed a process where all our serious concerns over safety & job losses can be addressed |
| A spokesman said: "We have now agreed a process where all our serious concerns over safety and job losses will be seriously addressed through the normal channels. | A spokesman said: "We have now agreed a process where all our serious concerns over safety and job losses will be seriously addressed through the normal channels. |
| "We are obviously pleased that we have agreed this process, which will allow us to suspend our strike immediately, and cancel it later when the agreement reaches us in a formal document." | "We are obviously pleased that we have agreed this process, which will allow us to suspend our strike immediately, and cancel it later when the agreement reaches us in a formal document." |
| The controversial leader of the RMT Bob Crow said: "After two days of intensive and detailed discussions through the offices of Acas we have now received proposals that halt the implementation of the job cuts which gives us the opportunity to discuss all of the issues away from the pressure cooker. | |
| "We now have a golden opportunity to look again in detail at all of the concerns we have raised about the impact of the cuts on our members and the services that they provide to Londoners. That is exactly what we have been calling for throughout this dispute. | |
| "RMT is happy to discuss any issues with LU through the machinery of negotiation and we are glad that we have now got back to where we should have been right at the start of this process. | |
| "It is unfortunate that we were forced and provoked into a dispute that we never wanted and we are now in a position to move on with the clear understanding that our action is suspended but if there is any further attempt to impose change from above the action will go back on." | |
| LU managing director Mike Brown said: "We welcome the constructive talks at Acas today and await confirmation from the RMT and TSSA that their strike action is suspended. | |
| "We have always said that we want the unions to engage fully with us, to help shape our proposals for the future of the Tube. | |
| "The hard work of both the LU and union negotiating teams and the progress we have made at Acas over the last few days means we can now do that without further unnecessary disruption to Londoners." | |
| LU repeated that it planned to have staff based in ticket halls, on gate lines and on platforms rather than in ticket offices, adding that changes would be implemented without compulsory redundancies. | |
| The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "I'm pleased the TSSA and the RMT have agreed to call off their planned strike following talks with Transport for London. It means further unnecessary disruption to London and Londoners has been averted. | |
| "TfL's negotiators have been ready since November to discuss the detail around ticket office closures and wider modernisation of the Tube. It's welcome news that the unions appear to recognise that, and will return to full and substantive discussions with TfL between now and the end of the consultation period in early April. | |
| "Modernisation is essential if we are to properly serve the millions of Londoners who rely on the Tube every day, and who expect a bigger, better service that offers value for money whilst protecting future investment. | |
| "It is essential that our hard-working and dedicated staff, who are vital to the delivery of that vision, understand the changes we are proposing. | |
| "Sitting down to discuss those proposals, free from the prospect of strike action, was always the only sensible way forward. I'm grateful to TfL's negotiating team and pleased the unions agree this is the right way forward." | |
| Val Shawcross, leader of the Labour group on the London Assembly, said: "We now need the Mayor to show some real leadership and launch a full public consultation on his proposed cuts to ticket offices and station staffing levels. | |
| "There are some interesting ideas in TfL's plans and modernisation is needed, but Londoners should be given the chance to have their say and improve them." | |
| A 48-hour stoppage last week caused travel chaos in the capital for millions. | A 48-hour stoppage last week caused travel chaos in the capital for millions. |
| The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) estimated that last week's action cost small firms in the capital £600 million in lost working hours, business and productivity. | The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) estimated that last week's action cost small firms in the capital £600 million in lost working hours, business and productivity. |
| Transport for London has said the proposals to close ticket offices will save £50million a year and that it has the backing of 82 per cent of Londoners. | Transport for London has said the proposals to close ticket offices will save £50million a year and that it has the backing of 82 per cent of Londoners. |
| But a survey of 1,000 tube users for the RMT suggested that almost two thirds of passengers believe strike action is justified. | But a survey of 1,000 tube users for the RMT suggested that almost two thirds of passengers believe strike action is justified. |