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London tube strike called off after fresh talks produce breakthrough London tube strike called off after talks produce breakthrough
(35 minutes later)
A second planned 48-hour London tube strike has been called off after the two unions involved said they 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 LUL 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.
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 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.
"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. "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. LU's managing director, Mike Brown, said: "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."
"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 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.
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." 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 (TfL). 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."
He added: "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 hardworking 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 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."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. During a similar strike last week, only about a third of tube trains ran.
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.
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 harm staff morale and make the Tube less safe for passengers.