This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/aug/10/tube-bosses-spell-out-night-services-impact-on-staff-to-avert-more-strikes

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tube bosses spell out night service's impact on staff to avert more strikes Tube bosses spell out night service's impact on staff to avert more strikes
(34 minutes later)
London Underground has spelled out the impact of a planned new all-night tube service on staff in a bid to avert further strikes. London Underground has spelled out the impact on staff of a planned new all-night tube service, in an attempt to avert further strikes.
The company said staff would be able to plan shifts that suit them and repeated that no one would be asked to work more hours than they did at present.The company said staff would be able to plan shifts that suit them and repeated that no one would be asked to work more hours than they did at present.
But work-life balance remains the main sticking point to a deal which would avoid a repeat of the 24-hour stoppages which have crippled tube services twice in the past month. But work-life balance remains the main sticking point to a deal which would avoid a repeat of the 24-hour stoppages that have crippled tube services twice in the past month.
Drivers and other employees are unhappy with arrangements for staffing the night tubes, which are due to start on 12 September, although unions have called for the launch to be delayed amid continued speculation over whether the new service can start on time. Drivers and other employees are unhappy with arrangements for staffing the night tubes, which are due to start on 12 September. Unions have called for the launch to be delayed.
In a bulletin sent to employees on Monday, LU’s chief operating officer Steve Griffiths said: “We have put forward a very fair, revised offer, which recognises not only the introduction of night tube services, but the work-life flexibility that we know is important to you. We will continue to consult on rosters and you will be able to swap your shifts around. In a bulletin sent to employees on Monday, LU’s chief operating officer, Steve Griffiths, said: “We have put forward a very fair, revised offer, which recognises not only the introduction of night tube services, but the work-life flexibility that we know is important to you. We will continue to consult on rosters and you will be able to swap your shifts around.
“This means you can plan the shifts that best suit you. More importantly, no one will be asked to work more hours than they do today. Everybody remains entitled to two days off in seven, and annual leave entitlements are unchanged.“This means you can plan the shifts that best suit you. More importantly, no one will be asked to work more hours than they do today. Everybody remains entitled to two days off in seven, and annual leave entitlements are unchanged.
“We want to work jointly with your trade unions around options that allow us to deliver night tube without losing productivity and are committed to a fair, affordable and sustainable deal that protects work-life balance.”“We want to work jointly with your trade unions around options that allow us to deliver night tube without losing productivity and are committed to a fair, affordable and sustainable deal that protects work-life balance.”
He said customer service staff would work three extra nights a year at most, while station supervisors would have to do a “small number” of nights.He said customer service staff would work three extra nights a year at most, while station supervisors would have to do a “small number” of nights.
After a transition period when the new service was up and running, drivers would be able to choose whether they wanted to work on the new service, said the bulletin.After a transition period when the new service was up and running, drivers would be able to choose whether they wanted to work on the new service, said the bulletin.
Mick Cash, leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union said: “London Underground and the mayor are sending out conflicting messages to the public over the start date for night tube and rather than ducking and diving around the September 12 date that is plastered all over London, it would make more sense to suspend the introduction to allow for thorough negotiations around the unresolved issues.”Mick Cash, leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union said: “London Underground and the mayor are sending out conflicting messages to the public over the start date for night tube and rather than ducking and diving around the September 12 date that is plastered all over London, it would make more sense to suspend the introduction to allow for thorough negotiations around the unresolved issues.”
Griffiths said: “We are working towards the 12 September for the delivery of the night tube and are operationally ready, but, as we have always said, this cannot be at any cost.”Griffiths said: “We are working towards the 12 September for the delivery of the night tube and are operationally ready, but, as we have always said, this cannot be at any cost.”
Fresh talks aimed at resolving the row are being held at the conciliation service Acas.Fresh talks aimed at resolving the row are being held at the conciliation service Acas.