Tube strikes over sacking of two drivers called off

The dispute is over the sacking of two drivers

Two 24-hour strikes over the sacking of two London Underground (LU) drivers have been called off by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union.

Workers on Bakerloo and Northern lines were to walk out on Sunday night but the RMT plans to hold further talks.

LU said one driver was sacked for a safety breach and the other for abuse towards colleagues, but the RMT said they were targeted for union work.

LU has questioned the legality of the strike ballot, but welcomed the talks.

Two previous strikes have been held at Bakerloo Line and Northern Line depots over the issue.

'Members victimised'

Howard Collins, LU's chief operating officer, said: "At the root of the RMT leadership's strike threat was the dismissal of two Tube drivers, one for abusive and totally unacceptable behaviour, and the other for a serious safety breach.

"We've worked hard to avoid what would have been completely unnecessary disruption to Londoners."

A statement from the RMT said the strike was called off to "allow Acas talks and in light of a move to use the anti-union laws" and to ballot members from across the network.

RMT's general secretary Bob Crow said: "Our members have both won interim hearings at the tribunal that show they were victimised on the grounds of trade union activities.

"As a result LU has had to put them both back on wages and the time has come to get them back to work doing the job they are being paid to do and that's driving Tube trains."