These talks have now stopped without agreement - latest update here

Talks at conciliation service ACAS got underway today as 10,000 members of London Underground’s two biggest unions begin final preparations for a rolling series of strikes starting on Monday September 6 against plans to axe 800 station and other staff and close ticket-offices. RMT said this morning that there can be no compromise on tube safety and safe staffing levels.

RMT confirmed that action remains on and that ex-Metronet (maintenance and engineering) staff will begin their first 24-hour strike at 17:00 on September 6, with similar action also scheduled to begin at the same time on Sunday October 3; Tuesday November 2, and Sunday November 28.

Other LUL grades (including station and revenue staff, operational managers, drivers and signallers) will start their first 24-hour strike at 21:00 on Monday September 6, with similar action also set to start at the same time on Sunday October 3; Tuesday November 2, and Sunday November 28.

An indefinite overtime ban for all LUL members of both unions will start at a minute after midnight on Monday September 6. Timings and forms of action may also be varied.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said:

“After weeks of dragging their heels over talks around the issues of staffing levels and safety at the heart of this dispute RMT is pleased that London Undergound have now recognised the importance of using the negotiating machinery to open up these urgent discussions.

“RMT has always been committed to meaningful and structured negotiations which protect jobs, quality of service and the safety of both passengers and staff.

“The industrial action remains on and in light of the recent incidents involving fires at Euston and Oxford Circus and the runaway train on the Northern Line there are no grounds for compromising on safety and safe staffing levels.”

“The mayor was elected on a promise of maintaining safe staffing levels and retaining ticket offices and he is doing the opposite, planning to leave stations and platforms dangerously understaffed and threatening to turn the network into a muggers’ paradise.”