London Tube drivers vote for strike over all-night service

London Underground drivers have voted to strike over the new all-night tube service that is set to begin this september.

The union Aslef decided to strike after rejecting a 0.75% pay rise, a £500 bonus and an extra £250 bonus for all workers for the night service.

The move to strike was backed by 97% of Aslef members in a vote where the turnout was 81%.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) and Rail Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT) are also holding strike ballots, with the results due towards the end of the month. This could be the first time all Tube unions go on strike on the same day since 1992.

Finn Brennan, Aslef’s district organiser, said: “There is a window of opportunity for London Underground managers to avoid a summer of disruption by seriously engaging with us to find a solution.

“They need to withdraw the threat to impose new rosters and make a realistic offer on pay and conditions. We are always prepared to talk, but they have to start listening to this very clear message from their staff.

“Our members are entitled to a family life and to some sort of work/life balance. We aren’t opposed to all-night services but we want them introduced in a fair and sensible way which rewards staff for their hard work and the contribution they make to the success of the London Underground.”

Steve Griffiths, London Underground’s Chief Operating Officer, added: “We have been in discussions with the unions since February, and are still in the midst of negotiations.

“We recognise the hard and valuable work of our staff and want to give them a pay rise this year and next. We also want to minimise the impact of the Night Tube on our people, and compensate those it will affect most. But pay levels for our staff are already fair, and any increase must be sustainable.

“Londoners and businesses overwhelmingly back the Night Tube, and trying to block something that will transform our city, and create more jobs, is short sighted. We encourage Aslef to make themselves available to continue our talks at Acas.”