New Tube strike threat

The prospect of major disruption on the Tube worsened today as Aslef, the union which represents the majority of train drivers, threatened to ballot its members for industrial action.

As the dispute threatened to overshadow Ken Livingstone's Mayoral campaign, it looked possible that train drivers could be told to finish their shifts exactly on time - meaning they could order passengers off at the nearest station then continue on empty to their depots.

The Tube's largest union, the RMT, which has called a 24-hour strike from 9pm next Wednesday, is demanding-more pay and a 35-hour week instead of 37 hours for its members, who include station staff and signallers. Train drivers are already on a 35-hour week, after Aslef agreed to virtually no pay increases over a two-year period.

London Underground has told the RMT it will work towards a 90-minute reduction depending on "flexible" agreements, including working later on Friday and Saturdays.

LU says it has a limited amount of money for this year's pay deal. It needs both unions to agree to increased productivity to fund the shorter working week for RMT members. Aslef says that will mean less money to fund its own demand for a "substantial" pay increase.

Both unions are due to meet LU next Wednesday. Aslef says if the mess is not sorted out by then it will ballot for industrial action.

Its members would be guaranteed to endorse such action. Drivers are angry at what they see as the hard-won shorter working week they paid for being "given away" to other grades of staff.

Steve Grant, Aslef London district secretary and a former Tube driver, said: "If this situation is not sorted out at next Wednesday's meeting this union will ballot its members for industrial action.

"This will mean major disruption to services. We are not opposed to other grades of staff having a shorter working week or increases in pay but this union will not agree to that being done on the backs of train drivers."

Mr Grant warned: "If LU is frightened about what the RMT can do then it should be warned that Aslef can and will cause major disruption."

Tube chiefs met RMT leaders last night to try to stop the strike - due on the day of London's mayoral election. There was no deal and RMT leaders are meeting today.

Meanwhile, Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor, said rival Ken Livingstone could suddenly announce the strike has been called off to help win votes.

A senior RMT source said this was "absolute rubbish."