Hopes rise for strike-free tube during Olympics

RMT union would says it would consider a deal with Transport for London similar to that struck with Network Rail, which is offering up to £500 for staff working extra shifts A strike-free Olympics on the London Underground would cost around £500 per tube employee, the RMT trade union indicated on Tuesday, as hopes rose that a settlement could be reached to prevent disruption at next year’s games. Britain’s largest rail union has already secured an Olympics deal with Network Rail including payments of up to £500 for staff performing extra shifts. It includes an agreement , described by industry sources as a no-strike deal in all but name, that disputes during the games period will go to the ACAS conciliation service with no industrial action while discussions take place. Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said on Tuesday that the union would seriously consider a similar offer to its thousands of LU members. “We will be looking for the same if not better on London Underground,” he said. Peter Hendy, head of the mayor’s Transport for London authority, which runs the tube, told the Evening Standard that the Network Rail deal was “sensible”. The Network Rail deal also includes a no-sacking clause during the Olympics and Paralympics next summer. A spokesperson for Transport for London said: “We are continuing our negotiations with all our trade unions towards a multi-year pay and conditions deal that would cover the period of the Olympics.” Speaking at a London Assembly hearing on Tuesday, Crow said LU had agreed to set up an independent panel that would garner suggestions on improving industrial relations on the tube. “It is … some kind of panel where selected people on behalf of London Underground and trade unions can give recommendations on how best industrial relations can improve.” Any deal over the Olympics is likely to be wrapped up in an over-arching pay agreement with the RMT. The union has rejected a five-year pay deal including a 4% pay rise this year followed by increases of inflation + 0.25% for each of the following years. Last week LU raised its offer to a 4.5% pay rise this year. The RMT also wants the re-introduction of a consultative trade union committee at LU and the re-establishment of a transport wages board. Crow added that the RMT and other unions wanted a “dialogue” with the London mayor, Boris Johnson, while acknowledging that the mayor would not engage in negotiations. Crow said the RMT wanted to “have his ear every now and again”. Travel & leisure Trade unions Transport Bob Crow London Dan Milmo guardian.co.uk

Posted by on May 17, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.