More Tube strikes planned in row over pensions

Tube Lines engineers are planning to strike for a second time this month in a dispute over pensions.

Union members will walk out for 24 hours at 6am on Friday, November 23.

Rail union RMT is campaigning to allow new Tube Lines employees to join Transport for London’s (TfL) pension scheme instead of the “inferior” Defined Contribution (DC) scheme which is currently in place.

Tube Lines staff, who are responsible for maintenance and upgrade work on the Jubilee line, Northern line and Piccadilly line, completed a 24-hour strike earlier in the month.

RMT said: “After months of discussion between management and the RMT a satisfactory conclusion has not been reached and as a consequence a further wave of industrial action has been confirmed.”

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: “This dispute is about fairness and equality, nothing else. RMT members have delivered a massive mandate and rock-solid action following a straightforward demand for parity with other Tube staff on pensions and passes.

“This dispute is about justice and about ensuring that all groups of staff under the umbrella of London Underground receive the same rights and benefits and our members have no choice but to strike again in the fight to secure those basic rights.”