Tube strike to be challenged in court

A last-minute legal challenge is to be made to halt a planned 48-hour strike by London Underground maintenance workers, it was revealed tonight.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union employed by Tube Lines are due to stage a 48-hour walkout from 7pm tomorrow in a row over pay, jobs and conditions.

But Tube Lines will go to the High Court tomorrow to challenge the legality of the union's ballot, just hours before the walkout is due to start.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "Despite this legal challenge, tomorrow night's 48-hour strike remains on. RMT will defends its position in the court against this latest attempt by an employer to use the full force of the anti-trade union laws to override a perfectly bona fide ballot.

"It's significant that this challenge comes just days after the bosses' organisation, the CBI, demanded even tighter union-busting rights to stop workers who dare to fight to protect jobs, pay and conditions."

:: A planned 72-hour strike by RMT members on London's Docklands Light Railway from 4am tomorrow has been suspended following a new pay offer.