London Night Tube strike could happen over Christmas, warn union chiefs as they prepare to launch ballot

Union barons today warned of Christmas strikes on the Night Tube in a long running row over working conditions.

They threatened disruption on the 24-hour service as it gears up for the busiest time of the year.

The RMT today declared an official dispute with London Underground (LU) and said it was now preparing to launch a strike ballot.

It accused LU of reneging on an agreement whereby Night Tube drivers working on the service on Friday and Saturday nights could move onto five day a week daytime employment.

Mick Cash, the RMT leader, said: “Staff are rightly angry and frustrated that an agreement that would have allowed night tube drivers to progress to full time driver jobs is being flouted by the company.

“That is wholly unacceptable and has left RMT with no alternative but to declare a dispute and begin preparations for a ballot.

“RMT remains available for talks but we will not sit back while our members are denied the career opportunities they deserve.”

Conducting the ballot and formal notice of any industrial action means walkouts could take place from early December.

The union controls about 40 per cent of drivers on the 24-hour service operating on the Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.

But the dispute affects all drivers and members of the rival Aslef union could refuse to cross RMT picket lines.

The launch of Night Tube in August last year was 12 months late arriving mainly due to union issues over staffing and shift patterns.

The unions said many new drivers took up the job saying LU had given “assurances” they would have the opportunity to progress to full-time day jobs.

The RMT warning came as talks between Aslef and LU continued today to try and avert a network-wide dispute.

Aslef suspended a 24-hour strike two weeks ago over pay and conditions – also involving Night Tube – but warned the dispute would be back on if they failed.

Talks were said to be going “very slowly.”

Tube bosses condemned the strike threat as both “disproportionate” and “unnecessary.”

Nigel Holness, Operations Director for London Underground, said: "Successful Night Tube services have been running for over a year in line with agreements reached with the unions.

“ We have already met them on this issue, and acknowledged their concerns, therefore the threat of a ballot is disproportionate and unnecessary‎."