Socialist Party members in the RMT on London Underground
RMT transport union members working on London Underground (LU) have voted for a third time for strike action in defence of jobs, pensions and working agreements.
95% of votes cast were for strike action, on a turnout of 52%.
RMT members on the Underground have already taken five days of action. Those working on stations have taken a further day across the tube, with another day taken at seven stations where rosters have been imposed.
LU has agreed with the government to seek cuts to pension costs of £100 million a year. They are required to identify their final plan for pension reform by the end of January.
In addition, 600 jobs are being removed from station staff rosters. LU has now opened discussions on flexible working and job cuts amongst train operators. Cuts across all LU functions are looming.
This dispute pre-dates RMT’s bitter fight on the national rail network, and demonstrates the determination of LU members to defend hard-won pensions and job security.
The union’s representatives will now take part in a discussion to decide on their next steps. A refusal by the employer and, in turn, the Labour London Mayor and Tory government, to remove threats to jobs, pensions and agreements must be met with an escalation in this dispute.
