RMT union London Underground staff have voted in favor of continuing the strikes in a dispute over pensions and job cuts.
More than 90% of union members on the tube who voted, with a 53% turnout, supported the continuity of industrial action.
The RMT was legally obliged to obtain support to renew its strike mandate, after the last 24-hour stop on Tuesday closed virtually all metro services in the capital.
Transport for London (TfL) aims to reduce just over 10% of front-line staff by not filling vacancies as they arise, as well as reviewing the pension plan, a condition of emergency funding agreed with the Department of Transport (DfT) after the fare. revenues dried up during the pandemic.
The DfT this week offered a new extension of funding until July 13, thwarting attempts by TfL and Sadiq Khan to reach a long-term deal, with the deadline for financial aid otherwise expiring. tonight.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the vote “proves that the arguments that RMT has been making [are] endorsed by the tube workers “, and adds that” TfL and the mayor of London must seriously rethink their plans “.
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He added: “We are well aware of the funding cuts the Westminster government is imposing on TfL. However, Mayor Sadiq Khan … should not try to sacrifice the pensions and jobs of our members to fit in with the budgetary constraints set by Boris Johnson “.
Andy Lord, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “There are no proposals to change pensions or terms and conditions, and our proposals will ensure that any reduction in roles is achieved through vacancy management,” in accordance with our non-mandatory dismissal agreement. We ask the RMT to continue working with us. “
No more strike dates have been set yet.
The news came as talks continued between RMT and Network Rail and 13 train operating companies in the national rail dispute, ahead of the third 24-hour stop this week on Saturday.