Piccadilly line workers to go on strike next week

Piccadilly line workers are to strike for 24 hours next week in a row over agreements being “ripped up”, with the union responsible threatening longer action in future if the dispute is not resolved.

Members of the RMT will walk out from noon on December 4, and a 48-hour strike is on the cards if the row continues.

The threat of strike action comes less than a week after London Underground announced plans to cut 950 ticket office jobs though it is not officially linked to this.

It is instead about untaken leave dating back several years, which TfL have pledged to honour for all staff

General secretary Bob Crow said: “The overwhelming 88 per cent vote in favour of strike action can leave management in no doubt that the union is not prepared to accept the continuing abuse of individual drivers and negotiated agreements on the Piccadilly Line.”

Piccadilly line manager for London Underground Tony Matthews said: “The RMT’s decision to call for a strike is completely unnecessary.

“We met with them earlier this week to talk through the unrelated local issues they have raised, all of which have either been or are being addressed.

“At this very productive meeting we gave our assurances to continue towards resolving these matters.”