Tube strikes called off: London Underground walkout averted but threat of future action remains

RMT tube union — The planned tube strike in London has been called off after 11th hour talks by the unions Getty

Tube strikes have been called off after Unite and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) agreed at last-ditch talks to postpone planned industrial action on the London Underground.

Workers had been due to strike on 25 and 27 August over the new Night Tube service set to be rolled out across the capital on 12 September. Talks recommenced on Monday at the mitigation service Acas's headquarters in London and the walkout was averted when Unite announced its workers would not take part.

Unite regional officer Hugh Roberts said: "There are still some remaining sticking points, but we feel sufficient progress has been made to suspend industrial action as an act of goodwill.

"We will continue to approach talks with London Underground in a positive manner. We trust that London Underground management seize this opportunity to reach a deal that fully addresses our members' concerns and secures a successful future for night running on the Tube."

TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said: "I am extremely pleased to say that our Negotiating Team has made sufficient progress to suspend this week's planned strike action on the tube. However, we are not out of the woods yet. A number of issues need to be resolved before our dispute is finally settled. We will therefore announce future strike dates in due course although we remain hopeful that further talks will soon result in a negotiated settlement".

News of the cancelled strike will be music to the ears of Londoners, RMT general secretary Mike Cash has warned workers could strike in September. "It may be necessary to take further action and the General Grades Committee has decided that this would take place between Tuesday 8th and Thursday 10th September 2015," Cash wrote in a statement to workers.

Unions complained the offer of an averaged 2% pay rise for Night Tube staff, a £500 ($787) bonus for Night Tube workers and an additional £200 per Night Tube shift for drivers fell short of expectations and failed to give workers a decent "work-life balance".

Drivers' union Aslef had already said it would not join this week's strike after taking part in previous industrial action. RMT criticised the union for planning to cross the picket line, adding now was a time for solidarity.