TfL Tube strike: drivers to stage 24-hour walkout on London's District line next week

Tube drivers have voted to stage a 24-hour strike next week after accusing TfL of treating their colleague unfairly over alleged safety breaches.

Commuters face disruption on the District line after drivers from the Aslef union voted to strike on March 28.

A source from the Aslef union told the Standard that more than 100 train crew were expected to walk out from the Acton depot because management had treated a driver unfairly.

The source said a further 144 drivers were being balloted this week on whether to take further action.

Transport for London said it expects the District line to run at about 60 per cent of capacity if the strike goes ahead.

The row relates to Aslef drivers’ anger over the way the SPAD (Signals Passed At Danger) policy had been applied to a member of train crew from the Acton depot.

TfL said the driver had a number of safety incidents in their first few months in the job and was offered an alternative role on the stations which they agreed to.

The walkout will begin at 12.01am next Wednesday and last until 11.59pm.

A TfL spokesman said: “The situation with this driver is not as the union has described and no disciplinary action has been taken against them. A driver had a number of safety incidents in their first few months of driving and, in line with our agreed policies, was offered an alternative role on our stations which they agreed to.

“There is no cause for a dispute, and we call on the unions to continue working with us to ensure the safety of our customers and staff.”

A statement posted on the Aslef District 8 website reads: “Instead of sitting down to find a way to resolve this dispute, London Underground management have not even offered to meet to discuss it.

It added: “Taking strike action should always be a last resort but when management are not even prepared to take the opportunity to resolve issues by discussion and negotiation then we have to be ready to take action. This dispute is not about one individual or one case. It is about defending our agreed policies and procedures for everyone.

“If management can pick and chose who to get rid of regardless of fair and equitable agreements, then every driver is at risk.

“This dispute will now be escalated to other depots on the SSR lines as requested by our branches if management are not prepared to find a resolution.”