Second Tube union votes for strikes in row over 800 job cuts

The threat of Tube strikes increased today after members of a second union voted to support industrial action in protest over 800 job cuts.

First walkouts could take place next month, from Monday 6 September, and threaten to bring the entire network to a halt. Ticket office staff — members of the TSSA union — who will bear the brunt of the cuts overwhelmingly endorsed the strike call by two to one.

Members of the RMT, largest of the Tube unions, have already voted for strike action in the same dispute.

Leaders from both unions will now meet in crisis session next week to plan a campaign of industrial action unless Mayor Boris Johnson abandons his planned cut backs - which he is refusing to do.

The unions must give seven days notice of any industrial action but pledged they would not target the August Bank Holiday because they "do not want to disrupt families travelling back from their summer breaks."

Gerry Doherty, the TSSA leader, said cutting station staff would reduce safety and service standards for passengers.

He said: "Ticket offices will open for shorter periods and closed all weekend at many suburban stations.

"These cuts are being driven by the Government as much as Boris so our battle is with Downing Street as much as Transport for London (TfL,)" he added.

Union bosses have warned the 800 job cuts could be the "tip of the iceberg" with hundreds, if not thousands, more to come as a result of government-ordered finance cuts.

A secret memo to staff, revealed by the Evening Standard, from Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy warned the Government's October Spending Review will have "very significant effects" across the whole of TfL. Up to £1 billion could be axed from the £9.2b annual budget.

Howard Collins, London Underground's (LU's) chief operating officer, confirmed the 800 job cuts - which also include managerial station staff - but denied any lowering of safety standards.

He said: "We are committed to delivering these changes with no compulsory redundancies. The safe operations of our network remains at the top of our priorities and these changes will improve our performance still further."

Mr Collins said the "majority of the 700-800 posts that are identified for reduction are ticket office staff, this also includes a saving of around 100 posts from reductions in management and administrative staff.

"We have made clear that all of our stations will continue to be staffed at all times while trains are operating and all stations with a ticket office will continue to have one."

He said LU would continue to consult with the unions "on proposed changes to how and where staff will work at stations."