Tube strike warning after RMT passes new walkout mandate in row over four-day week for drivers

The RMT union was warned against “crippling” London after it passed a fresh mandate for strikes on the Tube.

Mr Holden told The Standard: “At every turn it appears like the RMT, which funds Labour MPs across London, is out to cripple the capital.

“With our capital city vital to the growth of the whole UK, more strikes would cripple that.”

Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden strongly criticised the RMT strikes on the Tube

PA Archive

He warned London Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan against making concessions to the RMT, arguing the union would just “keep striking for more, despite having some of the best paid, pensioned, and secure jobs in the country”.

He spoke out after the RMT passed a new strike mandate earlier in the summer to carry on its industrial action.

Out of 1,050 ballots cast by RMT members, 937 voted for strike action, with 112 against and one spoiled or invalid response.

The latest figure was 89% per cent of those who voted backing going ahead with more walkouts, compared to 91% at the start of the year.

Tube strikes earlier this year caused disuption on most lines

Getty

The overall number of drivers who sent back ballots was 134 lower than in February when 1,801 were eligible to vote compared to 1,719 in the most recent mandate renewal.

On taking industrial action short of strikes, 978 drivers backed the move, or 93% of the 1,050 who took part in the August ballot, with 71 against.

The RMT said: “Both of the above results exceed the required thresholds and the National Executive Committee has wholeheartedly congratulated members on delivering a ballot mandate for strike action and action short of a strike.”

London Underground has repeatedly stressed that the new four-day week would be voluntary for drivers.

But the RMT has branded the changes as a “fake” four-day week, arguing it was compressing five days of work into four.

It has cited concerns over the impact on drivers who do not want to accept the new arrangements, as well as on driver fatigue and late notice of shifts.

Stacked Tube trains at Upminster rail depot during the RMT walkout in April