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Tube strike: TfL wants last-ditch negotiations over walkout 'to fail' Tube strike: TfL wants last-ditch negotiations over walkout 'to fail'
(35 minutes later)
TfL doesn't want last-ditch negotiations to prevent this week's London Underground strike over the new night tube to succeed, it has been claimed. TfL doesn't want last-ditch negotiations to prevent this week's London Underground strike over the new night Tube to succeed, it has been claimed.
According to sources close to the discussions aimed at preventing a strike, talks are not likely to end in an agreement. TfL has not tabled a fresh offer in three months, with rail staff each being offered a £250 bonus when the night tube starts. This offer is purposefully low so unions have to reject it, sources believe.According to sources close to the discussions aimed at preventing a strike, talks are not likely to end in an agreement. TfL has not tabled a fresh offer in three months, with rail staff each being offered a £250 bonus when the night tube starts. This offer is purposefully low so unions have to reject it, sources believe.
The strike would take place on a day many fear could be the worst transport chaos for a decade.The strike would take place on a day many fear could be the worst transport chaos for a decade.
TfL has rejected the claims, with a spokesman saying that it “fully supported” the venture and after the London Mayor, it was behind the idea being realised.TfL has rejected the claims, with a spokesman saying that it “fully supported” the venture and after the London Mayor, it was behind the idea being realised.
The huge cost of the night tube project means that it would take 18 years to break even – making it something of a burden on the transport network and one which some critics are suggesting TfL never wanted.The huge cost of the night tube project means that it would take 18 years to break even – making it something of a burden on the transport network and one which some critics are suggesting TfL never wanted.
The cost of setting up the project costs around £10.9 million and yearly operating costs on the five night lines alone should be £27.9 million. The profit made in the first year is estimated to be £8.3 million, figures given to Aslef by TfL reveal.The cost of setting up the project costs around £10.9 million and yearly operating costs on the five night lines alone should be £27.9 million. The profit made in the first year is estimated to be £8.3 million, figures given to Aslef by TfL reveal.
Passengers will be able to travel on Friday nights and in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings TfL has concentrated on the benefit the night tube will have on London as a whole. “We expect to create £360 million in extra revenue [for the city] over the next 30 years,” said spokesman Sandeep Dhillon. Passengers will be able to travel on Friday nights and in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings TfL has concentrated on the benefit the night tube will have on London as a whole. “We expect to create £360 million in extra revenue [for the city] over the next 30 years,” said spokesman Sandeep Dhillon. 
“It’s easier to blame trade unions,” said Brennan, talking of the possibilities of talks failing and the night tube hitting difficulties. “But we are in favour of a 24 hour tube.”“It’s easier to blame trade unions,” said Brennan, talking of the possibilities of talks failing and the night tube hitting difficulties. “But we are in favour of a 24 hour tube.”
Important to the unions is that their staff have fair working conditions.Important to the unions is that their staff have fair working conditions.
TfL needs to come together with Aslef, the RMT, the TSSA and Unite, or Wednesday’s strike could be the worst since 2002 when the entire network closed. Brennan said that he anticipated a similar situation.TfL needs to come together with Aslef, the RMT, the TSSA and Unite, or Wednesday’s strike could be the worst since 2002 when the entire network closed. Brennan said that he anticipated a similar situation.
“If London Underground was seriously interested in the night tube they would have put together a more serious proposal,” rail workers' union Aslef's District Organiser Finn Brennan told The Independent before heading into the negotiating room.“If London Underground was seriously interested in the night tube they would have put together a more serious proposal,” rail workers' union Aslef's District Organiser Finn Brennan told The Independent before heading into the negotiating room.
Union bosses sat down with TfL (Transport for London) on Monday morning in a last attempt to settle better working conditions for staff on the night tube. The fight is not one about money, Brennan said, but about work life balance.Union bosses sat down with TfL (Transport for London) on Monday morning in a last attempt to settle better working conditions for staff on the night tube. The fight is not one about money, Brennan said, but about work life balance.
Workers on the London underground are set to strike for 24 hours from Wednesday evening, as are members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union RMT working on First Great Western lines – but for 48 hours. Talks between RMT and First Great Western bosses collapsed shortly after they began on Monday.Workers on the London underground are set to strike for 24 hours from Wednesday evening, as are members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union RMT working on First Great Western lines – but for 48 hours. Talks between RMT and First Great Western bosses collapsed shortly after they began on Monday.
“We are not optimistic” said Aslef spokesman Keith Richmond. TfL has not moved on its offer since it was made three months ago.“We are not optimistic” said Aslef spokesman Keith Richmond. TfL has not moved on its offer since it was made three months ago.
If the strike goes ahead, transport will be disrupted for millions of people including those who in the capital especially for Wimbledon.If the strike goes ahead, transport will be disrupted for millions of people including those who in the capital especially for Wimbledon.
Londoners should anticipate stations being shut from Wednesday afternoon through to Thursday, Dhillon said.Londoners should anticipate stations being shut from Wednesday afternoon through to Thursday, Dhillon said.