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London tube strike may be called off after fresh talks produce breakthrough London tube strike called off after fresh talks produce breakthrough
(35 minutes later)
Hopes have been raised that a second London tube strike in a week may be called off after one of the two unions involved said it would suspend industrial action. A second planned 48-hour London tube strike has been called off after the two unions involved said they would suspend industrial action.
Talks at Acas between London Underground (LU) bosses and the RMT and TSSA unions adjourned on Tuesday morning, and LU is writing to unions with new proposals, according to the conciliation service. Talks at Acas between London Underground (LU) bosses and the RMT and TSSA unions adjourned on Tuesday morning, and LUL is writing to unions with new proposals, according to the conciliation service.
An Acas spokesperson said: "We are hopeful of a positive response so that the proposed industrial action will be withdrawn." The RMT's general secretary, 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.
The TSSA union indicated it would not be taking action. The RMT said its executive committee was meeting to discuss the developments. "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.
The 48-hour strike was expected to start at 9pm on Tuesday and disrupt services until Thursday evening. "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.
A Transport for London spokesman said on Tuesday: "There were further constructive talks this morning. Proposals were made. We have always been clear that we want the unions to help is shape the future of the tube without disruption to passengers." "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."
A 48-hour strike last week, during which only about a third of tube trains ran, caused chaos on the capital's transport network. A TSSA 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."
John Woods, deputy chief conciliator at Acas, said: "We welcome the news that the proposed industrial action has been withdrawn. We want to thank all the parties involved for their hard work and commitment over 10 days of intensive talks with Acas."
A Transport for London spokesman said: "There were further constructive talks this morning. Proposals were made. We have always been clear that we want the unions to help is shape the future of the tube without disruption to passengers."
The 48-hour strike was expected to start at 9pm on Tuesday and disrupt services until Thursday evening. A similar strike last week, during which only about a third of tube trains ran, caused chaos on the capital's transport network.
The dispute is over what TfL calls the "modernisation" of the tube, which would lead to the closure of ticket offices and around 950 job losses.The dispute is over what TfL calls the "modernisation" of the tube, which would lead to the closure of ticket offices and around 950 job losses.
LU's managing director, Mike Brown, has pledged that after the planned job cuts, every station would be visibly staffed during operating hours, and that there would no be compulsory redundancies for staff willing to change their job role.LU's managing director, Mike Brown, has pledged that after the planned job cuts, every station would be visibly staffed during operating hours, and that there would no be compulsory redundancies for staff willing to change their job role.
Unions claim the cuts will impact staff and passenger safety. Unions claim the cuts will harm staff morale and make the Tube less safe for passengers.