Tube strikes to "cripple" Northern line

8:44am Tuesday 19th August 2008

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Tube staff are due to strike for three days from tomorrow, causing delays to the Northern line.

Maintenance staff for Tube Lines, responsible for maintaining and upgrading the Northern, Jubilee and Picadilly lines are due to walk out at noon for 72 hours following a dispute over pay.

London Underground has warned that unless rail union RMT and company Tube Lines resolve planned strike action before Wednesday, industrial action could disrupt three main Tube lines.

Around 1,000 union members are set to down tools after the company offered pay and conditions below their colleagues doing the same work for Metronet.

The union for rail, maritime and transport workers, RMT, warns strikes could have a "crippling" effect on services.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "The reality is that Tube Lines already pays rates lower than Metronet and offers inferior pensions and travel facilities, and the reason our members voted by a margin of more than three to one to strike is because what is on the table will widen that gap.

"Our members are facing the reality of a five-per cent inflation rate and soaring energy and food bills, and if Tube Lines wants to avoid a crippling strike it should get back around the table with an offer that meets their needs."

London Underground's chief operating officer Howard Collins said: “We hope that Tube Lines and the RMT can resolve this issue without unnecessary strike action.

"However, should the planned strike action go ahead, we would ask our customers to check before they travel from Wednesday.

"If services are disrupted, customers should seek alternative routes if they normally use the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines. We expect to operate normal services on the rest of the network.

“We would also like to ask customers for their patience during this time, as transport staff around the capital will be making every effort to ensure they can get around."

Transport for London is advising passengers to check before they travel, allow extra time for their journey and seek alternative routes where necessary.

All other lines are expected to run without delay.