Tube bosses appeal over strike

London Underground appealed for a series of Tube strikes to be called off today (PA)

London Underground appealed for a series of Tube strikes to be called off today, saying it will reinstate a sacked driver if told to by an employment tribunal.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are due to walk out for six hours from 9pm on Sunday, followed by further stoppages during the second week of the Wimbledon tennis championships.

The action is in support of Arwyn Thomas, who has taken a claim of unfair dismissal to a tribunal, with the result expected by the end of the month.

A Transport for London spokesman said: "The RMT leadership should call off its threatened strike action, called in support of a member of staff dismissed for abusive behaviour towards his colleagues.

"The tribunal process, to which the RMT agreed, has not concluded and has made no findings, interim or otherwise.

"LU managing director Mike Brown is writing to the RMT's Bob Crow again this morning, confirming that should the employment tribunal rule that Mr Thomas should be reinstated or re-engaged, we will abide by that decision.

"There is therefore absolutely no justification for the RMT to continue to threaten Londoners with strike action."

TfL said that if Sunday's strike goes ahead, it expects to run a near-normal service on Sunday evening and Monday morning, with "very little" impact on passengers.