Talks to be held over Tube action

Talks which will be aimed at averting a 72-hour strike by London Underground maintenance workers are to be held tomorrow.

The conciliation and arbitration service Acas said that the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and management from London Underground had agreed to meet to try to resolve a row over pensions.

Earlier yesterday the RMT announced that workers who maintain and upgrade Tube lines on the Underground are to strike next week in a dispute over pensions and benefits. The union, which represents around 1,000 staff on the Tube Lines contracts, said its members will walk out at 4pm on Tuesday until the same time on Friday.

The staff work on the Piccadilly, Northern and Jubilee lines and provide a number of services, including emergency repairs, across the entire network.

The row is over union demands for all Tube Lines staff to be allowed to join the Transport for London pension scheme and receive the same travel concessions as those who work for London Underground.

The announcement follows a 4-1 vote in favour of industrial action in a ballot of union members.