28/02/2012

Tube Dispute Possible During Olympics

Britain’s largest rail union, RMT, has rejected a pay deal for London Underground staff during the Olympic games. This has resulted in a formal dispute that will increase the pressure on London mayor Boris Johnson in delivering a strike-free Olympics.

RMT also announced a strike ballot for hundred of administrative staff at Transport for London (TfL) over the right to take leave during the games.

The RMT represents about 10,000 of the tube network's 18,000 staff, covering roles from drivers to platform staff, and any form of industrial action during the games would be highly disruptive. A spokesman for the RMT stressed that the union was seeking a settlement despite turning down an offer last month. The £500 deal was comprised of a £100 payment upon meeting certain customer satisfaction targets and an extra payment of £20 per shift.

Bob Crow, the RMT's general secretary, said: "RMT reiterates our stance that all grades of transport employees are entitled to a decent financial reward for their efforts transporting huge numbers of passengers during the Olympics and are entitled to take leave during the summer. Working conditions and important agreements should not and need not be attacked in order to facilitate Olympic running."

Gillian Alford, TfL's director of corporate industrial relations, said the organisation was "talking to the unions" about helping employees "manage their 2012 leave entitlement".

(H)

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