Tube chiefs rally to halt strike

Tube chiefs are trying to head off a New Year's Eve strike by more than 330 key signallers and line controllers.

But a revised offer is likely to be rejected by representatives of the RMT, largest of the Tube unions, later today.

Bobby Law, London district secretary of the RMT, said; "It will be up to signaller representatives to decide what to do but it does not look as though the offer meets all our demands."

Signallers and controllers are currently taking part in a strike ballot in a four-year-old dispute over pay structures and working conditions. The result of the ballot - expected to be overwhelmingly in favour of strike action - will be declared next week. That leaves the RMT with just enough time to give London Underground the required seven days legal notice of industrial action.

The RMT has already said it is looking to hold the first stoppage on New Year's Eve - the same day that Tube drivers could also refuse to operate through-the-night services in a separate dispute over pay and holiday time off.

Line controllers are responsible for running the network - used by more than three million passengers a day. Their skilled and stressful job combines control of both the signals and train operation. They have a wide variety of pay and working conditions and LU wants to standardise them.Mr Law, a former Tube driver, said; "We have had four years of negotiations. Now LU wants to cut 76 jobs and lengthen shifts to 12 hours." He said although LU had put some more money on the table most of this would go to managers rather than signalling staff.

An LU spokesman said; "Strikes will not resolve these issues. We expect to reach an agreement."