London Underground workers will not strike in Tube safety row Published duration 16 November 2016 Related Topics London tube strikes

image copyright PA image caption About 3,400 RMT members are involved in the two disputes

Thousands of London Underground staff will not go on strike but will instead refuse to work overtime or rest days in a dispute over safety.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union is taking the action claiming job cuts had made working on the Tube "horrific".

In the RMT ballot, 85% of station workers voted to strike but 94% opted for action short of a walkout.

London Underground (LU) urged the union to "work with us constructively".

Drivers on the Piccadilly Line have also backed action over a "wholesale breakdown" in industrial relations.

About 3,400 workers are involved in the two disputes which could affect services in the run-up to Christmas.

image copyright PA image caption The TSSA has also announced it will ballot members over the closure of ticket offices

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said a "toxic impact of the job cuts programme" had made working on the Tube "horrific".

He said: "The RMT will not stand by while safety is compromised on London Underground off the back of cash-led cuts to staffing levels that the union has warned would have a serious, lasting and corrosive impact for staff and passengers alike."

Transport for London said both ballots had low turnouts with 33% voting in the ballot over staffing and safety and 49% voting in the Piccadilly Line dispute.

Steve Griffiths, LU's chief operating officer, said "an independent review was being conducted" into the closure of ticket offices and talks had been planned" to discuss the RMT's concerns on the Piccadilly Line".