London Underground (LU) said today it was awaiting confirmation from the leaderships of the RMT and TSSA unions that this week's Tube strike is suspended, following constructive talks at ACAS and a fresh offer of further talks on LU's modernisation plans.

We welcome the constructive talks at ACAS today and await confirmation from the RMT and TSSA that their strike action is suspended

London Underground (LU) said today it was awaiting confirmation from the leaderships of the RMT and TSSA unions that this week's Tube strike is suspended, following constructive talks at ACAS and a fresh offer of further talks on LU's modernisation plans.
 
LU set out its vision for the future of the Tube on 21 November last year, including a new 24-hour 'Night Tube' service at weekends and more staff visible and available at stations to help customers buy the right ticket, plan their journeys and keep them safe and secure.
 
LU proposed that rather than being remote from customers behind closed doors or glass windows, in future Tube station staff would not be based in ticket offices, but in ticket halls, on gate lines and on platforms, ready and available to give the best face-to-face service for customers.
 
LU also made clear that any changes would be implemented without compulsory redundancies and that there would be a job for any member of staff who wants to remain at LU and is willing to be flexible.
 
Since then, LU has called on all trade unions to engage with LU's proposals in genuine and meaningful consultation, to help shape the future of the Tube. 

Today's proposal made at ACAS would see LU and trade unions enter a period of intensive discussion on LU's proposals and suspend further industrial action.
 
The proposal made at ACAS includes the following commitments:

  • That the unions will suspend this week's strike action;
  • Two months of intensive talks, to examine LU's proposals in detail, during which time there will be no further industrial action; and,
  • As was always intended as part of the formal consultation, a review, station by station, of LU's proposals which could result in some ticket offices remaining open.  We have always been prepared to listen to constructive proposals. 

LU Managing Director Mike Brown MVO said:
'We welcome the constructive talks at ACAS today and await confirmation from the RMT and TSSA that their strike action is suspended.

We have always said that we want the unions to engage fully with us, to help shape our proposals for the future of the Tube.

The hard work of both the LU and union negotiating teams and the progress we have made at ACAS over the last few days means we can now do that without further unnecessary disruption to Londoners.'