Fresh Tube strike in London

A 24-hour Tube strike is set to get underway in London after talks to resolve a pay row between unions and London Underground failed.

The walkout is due to begin from 18-30 BST. According to Transport for London (TfL), there will be no train services on Thursday. TfL has already called on commuters to complete their journeys before the industrial action starts.

This will be the second time that Tube stations across London close this month.

LU has said it has made a new offer including a 2% salary increase this year, plus an extra £200 per night shift for drivers for a limited time and a £500 bonus for night Tube staff when the overnight service is introduced in September.

London’s Mayor Boris Johnson has described the bill as “generous” and called on striking subway drivers to accept the deal.

The general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)has described the night tube plan as “rushed and botched.”

“Londoners need to be aware that the night tube was rushed and botched from the off, and that is why five weeks before it starts staff are striking because they will not accept that their work-life balance should be wrecked to plug the gaping holes in staffing capacity that should have been dealt with from day one," said Mick Cash.

“Millions of weekday commuters, who fork out a fortune in fares, risk seeing their safety compromised and their services reduced to chaos so that a few thousand revellers can be shipped home in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday morning – and experienced tube managers know that. We urgently need to get talks convened with tube professionals who understand the reasons behind a crisis which should never have been allowed to get this far,” he added.

Four main Tube workers' unions have joined the industrial action.

The striking drivers are unhappy at pay and conditions offered for working on the new night service.

The strike will be underway until Friday morning. It will be directly affecting more than million journeys made daily on the network.

Meanwhile, the unions have warned that more strikes could take place unless the dispute over payment and working conditions is resolved.

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