London Tube strikes: RMT members vote for further six months of action

London Underground staff have voted to continue strike action for another six months, as part of an ongoing dispute over jobs, cuts and pensions.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) were re-balloted due to their mandate for industrial action ending in June, having been in dispute with Transport for London (TfL) for nearly a year.

The strikes were organised following TfL plans to cut 600 jobs, and changes which could mean workers lose 30% of their pensions.

Run from April 25 to May 23, the vote found 96% of respondents in-favour of more strike action, from a turnout of 56.5%. RMT said those backing further action represented 54% of those entitled to vote.

Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, said: "I congratulate every single one of our London Underground members for giving us continued industrial leverage at the negotiating table.

"TfL cannot continue to simply wish this dispute away and the government which has drastically cut the funding to London transport budgets, shares a great deal of responsibility for this continuing impasse.

"London Underground workers want a negotiated settlement and are quite prepared to take more strike action over the next 6 months to make that a reality.”

Glynn Barton, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “We were notified today that RMT members have voted to renew their mandate for industrial action over jobs, pensions and conditions.

“This is despite the fact that no proposals have been tabled on pensions following a government mandated review into the TfL pension scheme.

“If any proposal is made in the future, this would require appropriate consultation and extensive further work.”