Another Strike Looming on Central Line

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RMT plans walkout this Tuesday over rostering dispute

The RMT have announced plans for industrial action on 21 February in a dispute over drivers being asked to work from different depots.

This is the same issue over which the went on strike in January. Drivers from depots on the eastern section of the line will not book on for their shifts from 9pm for 24 hours which will mean services would be disrupted on Tuesday evening and all day Wednesday.

The union claims that their drivers are being displaced at the ‘drop of a hat’ so that London Underground (LU) can cover for staff shortages. Management says that drivers need to be placed where they are needed.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, said, “RMT negotiators have made strenuous efforts through the ACAS machinery to resolve this dispute but the door has been slammed in our faces. To up the ante, LUL have now written to us confirming that they will be bulldozing through the displacements regardless.

“Let us be in no doubt, if LU are allowed to get away with this move on the Central Line they will start shunting drivers around the combine at the drop of a hat regardless of the consequences. Our members will be sent out from pillar to post to plug gaps that are solely down to staffing shortages. With massive budget cuts in the pipeline at LU this is a straw in the wind as to how the company expects to operate in the future.”

The Waterloo and City line will also be affected if the strike proceeds

February 14, 2017