A series of rows over pay, the sacking of a driver and claims of harassment have contributed to the strike threat.

The RMT union has warned it plans to ballot 6,500 workers over industrial action unless an "acceptable" pay offer is tabled by London Underground.

Union leaders said there was a "massive gulf" between workers and managers.

Pay deal
General Secretary of the RMT union Bob Crow said: "From the start we have told LU that we would prefer a one-year deal.

"We're prepared to negotiate around that, but LU are insisting on a rigid four-year deal that our members told us they will not accept."

The latest offer includes a 4% pay rise this year followed by increases above the rate of inflation in subsequent years.

Jubilee line
The union also announced it will ballot Tube drivers on the Jubilee Line over the "blatantly unfair" sacking of driver Raj Nathvani who reported over-running a signal.

Mr Nathvani was sacked "without mercy" and a union official dealing with the case now faced dismissal, according to the RMT.

The union is also balloting 80 station staff at Canary Wharf Station over a "catalogue" of issues, including claims of harassment and victimisation of union reps and discrimination against gay workers.

See also:

London Underground passengers face strike threat

Financial Times: August 15 2006
By Andrew Taylor, Employment Correspondent

London Underground passengers face the threat of industrial action over three separate disputes, the Rail Maritime and Transport union warned on Tuesday, writes Andrew Taylor.

The union plans to ballot 6,500 workers for on strikes unless London Underground “tables an acceptable pay offer” by August 23. LU has offered workers a four-year deal that includes a 4 per cent rise this year. The union, however, said the offer was worth less than increases that had been offered to workers at private sector infrastructure companies working for LU. RMT members would also prefer a one-year deal.

The union plans to ballot members involved in two other disputes with LU. The first is over the sacking of a driver for passing a signal and the second is over the alleged harassment and victimisation of staff and union representatives at Canary Wharf station.

LU said on Tuesday it was still waiting for a response from unions on its improved pay offer. On the sacking of the driver, it said it could not tolerate breaches of safety rules. LU said it had a strong policy against harassment and had investigated RMT’s claims at Canary Wharf and had concluded they “were not founded”.