London Underground statement as RMT leadership confirm Tube strike is suspended
Phil Hufton, Chief Operating Officer of London Underground, said:
"I am pleased that Londoners will not have to endure further strike action this week.
"The only way to resolve this dispute is for the RMT leadership to work with us to shape the future of the Tube in a changing world. It is good that they have committed to doing so alongside the three other unions involved. As we have always said, we are, of course, open to discuss any proposals our staff or the unions may offer.
"Modernisation of the Tube means that it is our intention to close all ticket offices, used in less than 3 per cent of journeys, and instead deliver a vastly better customer service by bringing more staff than ever before out on to the concourses of stations at ticket machines, ticket gates and platforms - just as we delivered during the London 2012 Games. This will also allow us to save £50 million per annum to reinvest in better and more reliable train services and to keep fares down."
Background
The form of words agreed at ACAS today which led to the suspension of the strike are as follows:
- The station by station review will continue with all the trades unions invited to participate and contribute, additionally the proposed FftF-S implementation plan will also be reviewed. This exercise should be completed by 23rd May 2014. During this period of discussion LU would continue to keep on hold all VS applications
- The outcome of the exercise will be discussed at a meeting chaired by ACAS
- LU would enter into further detailed discussions to ensure that any employees identified as in scope of the Fit for the Future - Stations proposals on 21 November 2013, and who do not choose to leave the business under voluntary severance, would be offered a role that involves no reduction in their current substantive salary. This arrangement would be specific to the Fit for the Future - Stations programme.