Fresh talks in bid to prevent further Tube strikes over all-night service

Two strikes have already been held in the past month over plans to start new Night Tube services from September 12.

They will resume on Wednesday (August 12) at the conciliation service Acas where four unions representing rail workers and the London Underground management will try again to find resolution to the dispute over Night Tube working patterns.

Unions are unhappy over pay and shift arrangements for the new services, which are due to be launched at weekends.

From their notorious strike in defence of a driver sacked after failing two alcohol breathalyser tests, to their current walk-out, which is purely aimed at stopping passengers from getting a better service, the tube unions are among the worst practitioners of the tactic.

But Steve Griffiths, the chief operating officer of LU who has been leading negotiations with the unions, said his company’s pay and conditions offering has been “very fair” and the package also includes a one-off £500 ($779) bonus for all Night Tube staff. We will continue to consult on rosters and you will be able to swap your shifts around.

Further talks are scheduled but significant details – including work-life balance for Tube workers – remain unresolved.

A London-based employee for San Francisco-based startup Planet Labs, McClelland is one of an estimated 250,000 people who work in inner London’s digital economy and who are less tied to a daily commute than most employees.

General secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT has made it crystal clear from the start that in return for the very basic guarantees and assurances sought on work-life balance that the union will work to agree a final form of station rosters for all areas”. A final agreement would have as its basis the best work-life balance and reward for staff while addressing the needs of the business which may well require additional staff resources.

“Staff are angry that their grievances are being ignored and dismissed by both the Mayor and his officials and that there has been no substantial move as of today from London Underground to make progress towards a negotiated settlement”.

“The action goes ahead and RMT remains available for talks regardless of the point we have reached in the dispute which is perfectly normal”.