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| Tube strike: Talks to resume in night service dispute | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Talks will resume later to try to avert a 24-hour Tube strike due to start on Wednesday evening. | |
| London Underground (LU) bosses will meet delegates of the four unions who represent 20,000 workers expected to take part in the industrial action. | |
| The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), and Unite are planning a walk out at 18:30 BST. | |
| ASLEF drivers will begin strike action from 21:30. | |
| LU and the unions had been trying to reach a deal over the introduction of the new night Tube service. | LU and the unions had been trying to reach a deal over the introduction of the new night Tube service. |
| On Monday the unions rejected the latest pay offer from LU which it said was an increased but "final" pay offer. | |
| It included a 2% rise this year and £2,000 for drivers on the night Tube. | |
| The service is due to start at weekends from mid-September. | The service is due to start at weekends from mid-September. |
| 'Safe and secure' | |
| LU had said it wanted a decision from the unions by 18:30 on Monday so it had time to ensure it could provide the "best possible service" to customers if the strike was called off. | |
| However Finn Brennan, a senior negotiator for Aslef, said unions were not given enough time to consider the proposals. | |
| He said he understood LU had withdrawn its latest offer when the deadline passed on Monday. | |
| "That means there is currently no offer from LU on the table," he said. | |
| RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT made it clear yesterday that we are prepared to continue the talks process in line with the normal industrial relations procedure. | RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT made it clear yesterday that we are prepared to continue the talks process in line with the normal industrial relations procedure. |
| "That of course means that the detailed offer submitted by LU yesterday must remain on the table as a key part of the talks framework, and the union issues on a coherent package that addresses work/life balance, equality and safety have to be on the agenda as well." | "That of course means that the detailed offer submitted by LU yesterday must remain on the table as a key part of the talks framework, and the union issues on a coherent package that addresses work/life balance, equality and safety have to be on the agenda as well." |
| The TSSA union also rejected the offer and general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "This dispute is not just about pay but about how to run a safe and secure night Tube which serves the passengers as well as rewarding the staff." | The TSSA union also rejected the offer and general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "This dispute is not just about pay but about how to run a safe and secure night Tube which serves the passengers as well as rewarding the staff." |
| 'Few extra nights' | |
| LU chief operating officer Steve Griffiths said in a message to staff on Monday that a "full and final" offer had been made in an attempt to conclude five months of talks. | LU chief operating officer Steve Griffiths said in a message to staff on Monday that a "full and final" offer had been made in an attempt to conclude five months of talks. |
| Earlier he said it was never suggested that the offer would be withdrawn if the unions did not respond by Monday and said any fresh talks will be based on the latest deal. | |
| Mr Griffiths said: "Many of our staff will not be affected by the new services as we are operating Friday and Saturday night services on five lines. We are also hiring 137 more train operators specifically to work on the night Tube. | |
| "For those who are affected, it will mean a few extra nights per year within the existing working week. | |
| "No-one is being asked to work more hours than they do now. We are not asking staff to work unlimited nights and weekends." | |
| LU's latest offer included an average 2% increase on basic pay, RPI inflation or 1% (whichever is greater) in 2016 and 2017, and a £500 non-consolidated "launch bonus" to all staff on night Tube lines or at stations serving those lines. | |
| Transport bosses also offered a £2,000 "transition bonus" for drivers working on the overnight services. | Transport bosses also offered a £2,000 "transition bonus" for drivers working on the overnight services. |
| Previously a 0.75% pay increase with an additional payment of £250 for drivers was offered. | Previously a 0.75% pay increase with an additional payment of £250 for drivers was offered. |