Tube strike 2016 dates: London 'to be hit by THREE DAYS of walkouts' as row over Night Tube continues

Fresh Tube strike: Unions are set to walk out this month
Rick Findler/PA
Robin de Peyer12 January 2016

London's commuters are likely to be hit by a fresh three days of travel chaos as Tube drivers are set to strike.

In an escalation in the long-running dispute over pay and the launch of the Night Tube, drivers are set to decide on Monday whether to press ahead with a walkout which would cripple the capital’s transport network.

If members of the Aslef drivers’ union agree to the action, there will be a 24-hour strike from 9.14pm on Wednesday, January 27 followed by two further 24 hour strikes from the same time on February 15 and February 17.

London Underground has offered a four-year pay deal and said it will hire part-time drivers to staff an all-night service at weekends.

But unions have been seeking assurances for months about terms and conditions for their members.

Boris on LBC part time night tube drivers

Finn Brennan of Aslef said: "We genuinely regret the inconvenience that will be caused by any action but the behaviour of London Underground's senior management team have left us with no other choice.

"Our negotiating team last met London Underground at Acas on November 10 and since then they have refused to talk to us despite repeated requests.

"Our members have been extremely patient, they have waited for more than three and half years for promised talks on improving work life balance. There is still no indication when they will receive the pay rise that was due last April.

"We want to see an all-night service introduced, and we are not opposed to the recruitment of part time staff. But we will not accept a zero hours culture being introduced and working conditions undermined.

Night tube: stations included in the overnight service (Picture: Transport for London)
Tfl

"We are ready to talk at any time to finally resolve this dispute.”

The 24-hour weekend Tube service was due to launch on September 12 but has been delayed amid a row with unions.

Mayor Boris Johnson has previously said the Night Tube is not "critical" to London and insisted he is "relaxed" about its launch date.

The service would see trains running overnight on Friday and Saturday on the Victoria and Jubilee lines as well as most of the Piccadilly, Northern and Central lines.

LU's chief operating officer Steve Griffiths last week confirmed 180 part-time drivers were being hired for the Night Tube.

He said: "The recruitment of these drivers does not impact our existing agreements with the unions, and these positions are open to both internal and external candidates.

"Recruiting part-time drivers will guarantee that no current driver will have to work the Night Tube, unless they choose to do so. We are now focused on the recruitment and training of these drivers in order to deliver the Night Tube for London as quickly as possible.”