This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-29555493
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Tube strike suspended after 'substantial progress' in talks | Tube strike suspended after 'substantial progress' in talks |
(35 minutes later) | |
A planned 48-hour strike by London Underground workers has been suspended following talks. | A planned 48-hour strike by London Underground workers has been suspended following talks. |
Tube staff had intended to strike next week, from 21:00 BST on Tuesday until 20:59 on Thursday, as part of a long-running dispute over staff cuts. | |
The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said "significant progress" had been made in three key areas of talks with Transport for London (TfL). | The Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said "significant progress" had been made in three key areas of talks with Transport for London (TfL). |
The dispute is over TfL plans to save £50m a year by closing ticket offices. | The dispute is over TfL plans to save £50m a year by closing ticket offices. |
It says it needs to save £4.2bn by 2020. | It says it needs to save £4.2bn by 2020. |
Originally, 953 jobs were to go but that figure has now been reduced to 897 and TfL said it anticipated that the number would fall further as a result of continued discussions. | |
Following a meeting at the conciliation service Acas, the two parties also agreed to continue consultations on the changes. | |
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "The substantial improvements we have agreed allow us to move forwards but the union's core opposition to the austerity-led cuts on London Underground has not shifted an inch and we remain vigilant to further developments and their impact." | RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "The substantial improvements we have agreed allow us to move forwards but the union's core opposition to the austerity-led cuts on London Underground has not shifted an inch and we remain vigilant to further developments and their impact." |
Phil Hufton, chief operating officer of London Underground, said: "Nothing positive would be achieved through this strike action and this threat had no logic to it whatsoever apart from attempting to disrupt hard working Londoners and their [RMT] members losing two days pay. | |
"By simply continuing to talk without imposing unnecessary threats is obviously the best solution, which is recognised by the other trades unions." |