RMT has also expressed its concern at London Underground's complacent response to the organisation of a 'booze-ban party' on the eve of the ban.

"It is pretty irresponsible to organise a booze party on the Tube when alcohol already plays a part in so many incidents," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

"We are concerned that LUL does not intend to put on any extra staff on Saturday night as it will be our members who will be in the front line and at risk from aggressive drunken behaviour

"RMT will support any measure that will make our members' working lives safer and more pleasant, but the ban has been poorly thought through, is being implemented in haste and could put our members in greater danger

"Violence against Tube staff is already a major problem, particularly from people who have been drinking, but now our members will be expected to approach people drinking and stop them or even remove them from the train or station.

"It was bad enough that the ban was announced without any consultation with staff, but it took three weeks after the announcement for them to meet with our safety reps.

"When they did finally come up with some guidelines they were issued late last Friday before the bank holiday weekend and are still being amended two days before the ban is supposed to come into force.

"The ban does not apply to national rail, so what happens on those interchanges like Farringdon, where Tube platforms are immediately next to national rail platforms?

"We need a sensible cross-industry approach to violence and anti-social behaviour, with everyone involved in finding the solutions, including the unions who represent the workers who are on the receiving end of it.

"A good first step would be to recognise that we need more staff on stations and guards back on all trains," Bob Crow said.

See also:

Tube booze party 'irresponsible'

BBC News: 30 May 2008

The ban will be implemented across London's entire transport network

London Underground workers have attacked plans for a public drinks party on Circle Line trains on the eve of an alcohol ban.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said it was irresponsible of those behind the event, when alcohol played a part in trouble on the system.

Saturday's "Last Round on the Underground" party has been advertised on the internet.

The alcohol ban also applies to buses, the Docklands Light Railway and trams.

From 1 June, open containers of alcohol will be banned with the aim of making travelling on London's public transport network a safer and more pleasant experience for passengers.

"It is pretty irresponsible to organise a booze party on the Tube when alcohol already plays a part in so many incidents" - RMT's Bob Crow

The new policy was announced earlier this month by London Mayor Boris Johnson.

People have been invited to bring their own cocktails to the party, but to behave themselves and be civil to other passengers.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, said: "It is pretty irresponsible to organise a booze party on the Tube when alcohol already plays a part in so many incidents.

"We are concerned that London Underground does not intend to put on any extra staff on Saturday night, as it will be our members who will be in the front line and at risk from aggressive drunken behaviour.

Police help

"RMT will support any measure that will make our members' working lives safer and more pleasant, but the ban has been poorly thought through, is being implemented in haste and could put our members in greater danger."

A spokeswoman for Transport for London said it would be monitoring the party, but was confident it would pass off without incident.

Addressing the RMT's concerns, she said: "We will not be asking staff to put themselves in a position where they feel they are in danger.

"If they feel they are in danger they can call for extra help from the approximately 2,500 police and community support officers dedicated to the transport network."

British Transport Police said it would have an increased number of officers deployed on the Underground for a number of events in London on 31 May.