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Industrial action designed to bring large parts of the Tube network to a halt has been blocked by the Government’s new anti-strike laws.

The RMT union balloted 3,743 London Underground station staff seeking support for action after a ticket staff member was sacked and two others disciplined following an incident with an alleged fare dodger at London Bridge station.

But only 1,290 members voted — and the 34.4 per cent turnout fell well below the 50 per cent now required for any industrial action to go ahead.

Only 28 per cent of those balloted — 1,039 — supported action. That also failed to meet the 40 per cent required under the Trade Union Act 2016 which came into force on March 1.

Keith Prince, London Assembly Tory transport spokesman, said: “This is a perfect example of why this legislation was introduced. The transport unions can no longer dangle the threat of disruptive and costly strike action over every minor industrial dispute.

“It is a sensible step forward that at least 40 per cent of union members will be required to favour any walkouts and it is a welcome sign of progress that this strike was blocked.”

The union said today there had been a “massive yes vote in London Bridge 3 ballot, but Tory anti-strike law thwarts democratic action.”

Union leaders told members the result “means that regrettably, we do not have a mandate to call members to take any industrial action.”

They added: “It is now more important than ever that every member returns their voting paper to make sure that we are not prevented from acting on members’ wishes by the draconian anti-trade union laws.”

An LU spokesman said: “We confirm the result of the ballot did not meet the legal threshold.”

Explaining the new legislation, which has faced widespread opposition from unions, former employment minister Nick Boles said last year: “These changes will ensure people are only ever disrupted by industrial action when it is supported by a reasonable proportion of union members... the rights of the public to go about their lives are fairly balanced with members’ ability to strike.”

The incident happened last November, when the RMT said a fare dodger “assaulted two members of staff, including pushing a pregnant colleague in the stomach. One staff member had his glasses stolen and was punched twice.”

That member of staff was then sacked, which the union called an “appalling miscarriage of justice.”

LU has refused to reinstate him, and claims CCTV showed him “displaying unacceptable conduct”.