Tube union condemns RMT strike

The Tube's second largest union today launched a bitter attack on the RMT, urging it to call off next week's 24-hour strike saying the stoppage will serve "no purpose" and is not in the interest of Londoners.

In an unprecedented move the Transport and Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), which represents 3,500 station managers, platform, ticket barrier and administration personnel, has condemned the RMT for ordering the strike from 8pm next Wednesday and all-day Thursday.

It says the strike will only inconvenience passengers and there is still room for negotiation. The split between the unions delighted London Underground and will help it run some sort of strikebreaking service.

RMT leaders ordered the strike, with the warning of more to come, in protest over what it claims is lack of consultation by LU on safety issues relating to the forthcoming part-privatisation of the network.

The TSSA, however, says while it remains very concerned over plans to break up the network "there has been a full consultation process and there is still more talking to be done".

Rick Justham, TSSA negotiations officer, said the next move should be to approach Acas, the conciliation service, rather than take strike action.