Night Tube strike: Drivers' union votes to take action on two April dates
Aslef claims Boris Johnson pushed for new part-time staff in bid to undermine unions
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Your support makes all the difference.Night Tube drivers are set to strike on two dates in April after voting for industrial action in a dispute over jobs.
Aslef, the train drivers’ union said the strikes follow a unanimous vote over “fair access to full-time jobs”.
The walkout is due to go ahead on the nights of Saturday 8 April and Sunday 29 April.
The row over jobs on the recently introduced Night Tube service focuses on the recruitment of part-time staff to man the trains.
Aslef claims this was because London Underground was “not prepared to find a fair way” to re-organise night shifts with existing staff.
It also claims former Mayor of London Boris Johnson believed hiring part-time recruits could be used to “undermine trade unions and attack conditions for existing staff”.
Finn Brennan, ASLEF's organiser on London Underground, said: “ASLEF is determined to achieve a fair deal for Night Tube drivers just as we are for every other member. The executive committee has decided to give London Underground much longer than the normal seven days' notice of industrial action that is required by law, so that there is ample opportunity for London Underground management to reach an agreement with us.
“I hope they will take advantage of this opportunity to avoid the necessity to take strike action.”
The Aslef ballot, which was conducted by electoral reform services, was 100 per cent in favour of industrial action, with a turnout of 75 per cent.
Peter McNaught, Operations Director for London Underground, said: “Night Tube services have been running since August last year in line with agreements reached with the unions. We’ve met with the unions to discuss and resolve the new issues that they have. We have invited the unions to more talks this week and I encourage them to continue discussions with us rather than threaten industrial action.”
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