Tube bosses back RMT fears over safety by admitting that cuts mean services are running on infrastructure dating back to 1920's

AFTER MONTHS of accusing tube union RMT of scaremongering over the safety impact of cuts on London Underground, tube bosses this morning put their hands up and admitted that the cuts mean that services are running on dangerous and rotten infrastructure dating back to the 1920's with worse to come in terms of the risks to millions of passengers as the Government lines up further attacks on the TFL budget and the tube upgrade programme.

RMT underground members begin balloting today for strike action across the entire network over jobs and safety cuts.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"After months of attacking the RMT for warning that cuts to financing and jobs were leading to massive backlogs in maintenance and upgrade works, and a severe shortage of staff in all areas, LU bosses have admitted this morning that not only were we right all along but that there is much worse to come.

"Our members begin balloting today for strike action across the tube network over jobs and safety because RMT will not sit back and wait for a tragedy before we act.

"There is now no question that the staffing and financial cuts are turning the underground into a death trap and the senior management right up to Boris Johnson know that. The time has come for the Mayor to slam the brakes on the cuts programme and prepare for a full on battle with the government over TFL funding."

> RMT National News

Saturday, 21st February
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) seafarers will take strike action on March 5th and 6th in a dispute over pay, transparency and compliance with minimum wage legislation.
Friday, 20th February
RMT has accused Network Rail of failing to provide adequate toilet and welfare facilities for maintenance patrol workers, warning that the situation may amount to breaches of health and safety law.
Thursday, 19th February
RMT members at Northfields fleet maintenance depot servicing Piccadilly line trains are taking four days of strike action this week following a breakdown in industrial relations.
Tuesday, 17th February
Maritime union, RMT has welcomed an overwhelming vote for strike action by seafarers employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) after management could not even demonstrate that it was complying with minimum wage legislation.
Tuesday, 10th February
RMT is demanding a new law to safeguard transport workers in Scotland against a sharp rise in assaults, ahead of a meeting with MSPs in Holyrood.