Thousands of London Underground drivers are to strike on Budget Day as Aslef members will not put up “any longer with the threats to their working conditions and pensions.”
In a vote 99% of Aslef members voted in favour of industrial action in a turnout of 77% to strike on 15 March.
Finn Brennan, Aslef’s full-time organiser on the underground said, “Our members are not prepared to put up any longer with the threats to their working conditions and pensions.
“We understand that Transport for London faces financial challenges, post-pandemic, but our members are simply not prepared to pay the price for the government’s failure to properly fund London’s public transport system.
“Cuts to safety training have already been forced through and management is open that they plan to remove all current working agreements under the guise of ‘modernisation’ and ‘flexibility’ and to replace the agreed attendance and discipline policies.
“Proposals to slash pension benefits are due to be announced in the next week.
“We are always prepared to discuss and negotiate on changes, but our members want an unequivocal commitment from TfL that management will not continue to force through detrimental changes without agreement.
“Unless they are prepared to work with us, and accept that changes have to come by agreement, and bring real benefits to staff, rather than just cuts and cost savings, this will be only the first day of action in a protracted dispute.”
Leave a Comment