Tube drivers back new strikes over pay dispute

The rail industry will be hit by a fresh wave of strikes after Tube drivers voted heavily in favour of industrial action yesterday in a dispute over pay.

London Underground services could be crippled next month because of the vote by members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union.

Aslef, the main train drivers' union, is expected to announce a similar vote tomorrow and both unions could name strike dates. Aslef will also reveal the result of a strike ballot among drivers at ScotRail tomorrow in a separate pay dispute.

The vote among RMT members on London Underground was 460 in favour of strikes, with 64 against. The turn-out was 50 per cent.

The unions, which represent about 3,000 Tube drivers, have accused LU of reneging on a deal to close the £1,600 gap in pay between drivers of passenger and engineering trains.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said:"This huge vote shows our members recognise LU are the wreckers here. With such an overwhelming vote, we hope LU will now see sense and come to an agreement to end the ridiculous situation where engineering drivers are paid £1,600 a year more than drivers of passenger trains."

LU said talks were continuing and expressed the hope that a deal could be achieved before industrial action was taken.

Aslef members on ScotRail are believed to have given strong support for a series of 24-hour strikes that would halt services across Scotland.

ScotRail, which is said to be facing losses of up to £25m this year, has made a number of offers in reply to union demands for a "substantial" pay rise.