The dispute around the long-awaited Night Tube in London is anticipated to come to a close as two of the London Underground’s (LU) unions are expected to accept Transport for London’s latest pay and work conditions offer.
Advertisement
It will conduct a referendum ballot over the offer on 11 February, but is already endorsing that its members across the Underground vote yes.
RMT’s approval is only a quarter of what is required for the plans to go ahead as three other unions – ASLEF, TSSA and Unite – must all accept the offer.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union today announced they backed a new deal with Transport for London (TfL).
The £500 bonus, initially offered to Night Tube staff, will also be extended to all operational workers.
The Night Tube service will operate on five lines in the capital – Piccadilly, Northern, Jubilee, Central and Victoria – on Fridays and Saturdays.
The latest offer includes a four-year pay deal of above-inflation rises backdated from April last year, and a £500 bonus to drivers and other staff connected with the introduction of the night service.
The acceptance of the deal by unions will clear a big hurdle for the service which was due to begin last September.
A 24-hour Tube strike set to take place last month, was cancelled at the eleventh hour, to allow for further conciliation talks.
However, as the three smaller unions involved in the long-running dispute are yet to announce their next move, it may be too early to get excited.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, RMT union is still in talks with London Underground bosses over a planned 48-hour Tube strike this weekend.
