Tube strike on poll day

Tube workers will start a series of strikes across the entire network from next Thursday when Londoners go to the polls.

The RMT union announced the date of the first 24-hour stoppage after members voted overwhelmingly in favour of action.

The strike on 10 June is the day of mayoral and European elections. It is being seen as a calculated snub to Mayor Ken Livingstone for his failure to come up with a promised pay deal.

RMT leader Bob Crow said this was the "first" date chosen by the union - a clear indication that more would follow unless London Underground increased its pay offer.

The strike endorsement in support of the annual pay claim by signallers, station staff and some train drivers was 2,614 in favour with 643 against. The RMT is also in the middle of a separate dispute with Network Rail where members have voted in favour of strikes.

Mr Crow said the union could combine strikes to bring Tube and mainline rail networks to a halt at the same time.

The Tube vote will dismay commuters and business leaders. It is estimated that a 24-hour stoppage would cost London £70 million.

The RMT has included a 35-hour week and a £22,000 minimum wage among this year's demands - the equivalent of a 16 per cent increase on current rates.

LU has offered 3.5 per cent. Mr Crow said LU had been "dragging its feet" over the annual negotiations "and our Tube members have run out of patience". He opened the door for fresh negotiations saying that LU could still avoid industrial action "by getting around the negotiating table as a matter of urgency".

The union will organise picket lines - raising the probability that train drivers in rival union Aslef will refuse to cross. When the RMT staged action in the past between 50 and 80 per cent of services were lost.