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Tube workers reach staffing deal

BBC News: 27 January 2006

London Underground workers have reached a deal over staffing levels, ending a row which resulted in industrial action on New Year's Eve. The deal has stopped the imminent threat of strikes.

The Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said station staff voted seven-to-one in favour of a deal which would lead to a 35-hour week.

Workers had staged two walkouts, including one on New Year's Eve.

But the union has warned that another dispute over employment relations could involve Tube train drivers.

'Fair deal'

The union will ballot 1,500 train drivers over several issues after saying industrial relations have broken down.

General secretary Bob Crow said the RMT's executive will meet next week to decide whether they should include all of the union's workers on London Underground in a strike ballot.

Mr Crow said he had been told train drivers backed strike action.

The result of the ballot will be announced on 9 February.

A London Underground spokesman said: "The agreement is exactly the same as it was before the attempted RMT strike action. The new staff rosters will be implemented across all LU stations on 5 February, as planned.

"The agreement is a fair deal which gives Tube station staff a shorter 35-hour working week and safe staffing levels at all Tube stations.

"There will be no job cuts and the deal comes at no extra cost to farepayers," he said.

LU said there was no justification for the ballot over industrial relations held with train drivers.

"London Underground is committed to consultation with our employees and trade unions using our agreed procedures.

"It is regrettable that once again the RMT is misleading its members and ignoring agreed procedures," the spokesman said.