Transport union Aslef rejects pay rise
London Underground drivers are set to strike for 24 hours amid a row over pay and the all-night service.
The strike will begin from from 21:30 BST on 8 July.
Transport union Aslef rejected a 0.75% pay rise and a £500 bonus for all workers for introducing the night service.
Aslef members voted for industrial action by 97% while the turnout was 81%.
In a statement Aslef said:
“There is a window of opportunity for London Underground managers to avoid a summer of disruption by seriously engaging with us to find a solution. They need to withdraw the threat to impose new rosters and make a realistic offer on pay and conditions.
“We are always prepared to talk, but they have to start listening to this very clear message from their staff.
“Our members are entitled to a family life and to some sort of work/life balance. We aren’t opposed to all night services but we want them introduced in a fair and sensible way which rewards staff for their hard work and the contribution they make to the success of the London Underground.”
Steve Griffiths, LU’s chief operating officer, said: “We have been in discussions with the unions since February, and are still in the midst of negotiations.
“We recognise the hard and valuable work of our staff and want to give them a pay rise this year and next. We also want to minimise the impact of the Night Tube on our people, and compensate those it will affect most. But pay levels for our staff are already fair, and any increase must be sustainable.
“Londoners and businesses overwhelmingly back the Night Tube, and trying to block something that will transform our city, and create more jobs, is short sighted. We encourage ASLEF to make themselves available to continue our talks at ACAS.”
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