TUBE UNION RMT confirmed that a ballot of 10,000 staff across London Underground for both strike action and action short of a strike will open today after more than a year of negotiations have failed to produce an offer on pay that meets the very reasonable demands of the workforce. The ballot will conclude on the 31st March.

RMT said it is angry and frustrated that over a year of talks has still resulted in a stalemate and has called on the Mayor and his TFL officials to lift the cap on pay and allow a deal to be done that fully recognises the enormous efforts of staff to keep London moving against a backdrop of overcrowding, creaking infrastructure and surging levels of violence and assaults. Workplace union representatives have taken soundings from depots and workplaces across the combine and have recommended the move to a vote for action in pursuit of pay justice.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“After over a year of intensive talks aimed at reaching a negotiated settlement on tube pay RMT reps are angry and frustrated that London Underground have now stalled that process and failed to come up with an offer that would fully recognise the efforts of their workforce day in and day out.

“London is a wealthy business centre and those staff who work round the clock to keep the city moving deserve their fair share.

“The ballot papers go out today and we will be campaigning hard for a massive YES vote. It is not too late for the Mayor, in this election year, to intervene and send his officials back to the table with a decent and responsible offer to settle this dispute. In the meantime RMT remains available for talks.”