London Tube strikes suspended by RMT union

Tube strikes planned to begin next week have been suspended, the RMT union has said.

The RMT had expected 1,500 drivers to walk out in a row over the sacking of two drivers.

It acted after London Underground (LU) reinstated one driver, Eamonn Lynch, and agreed to hold further discussions about the second driver, Arwyn Thomas.

LU's Mike Brown said: "The RMT have withdrawn their threat, and we have avoided significant disruption."

Mr Lynch had won a tribunal against unfair dismissal.

Mr Brown continued: "Responding to the results of the employment tribunal, not to the threat of strike action, London Underground has agreed to re-engage Mr Lynch in our employment in an alternative position."

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "This dispute has only ever been about securing justice for our members who have been unfairly dismissed.

"I want to pay tribute to the loyalty and determination of our members on London Underground who have continued to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their colleagues.

"Their strength and courage has been a shining example to the entire trade union movement."

'Unjustified and unnecessary'

Earlier there had been confusion as London Underground announced the suspension - only for RMT to dispute the development.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said he welcomed the resolution as it showed the union had recognised "that flexing union muscle is completely unjustified and unnecessary".

He continued: "I am also pleased that the union has recognised that there was a significant safety breach in the case of Eamonn Lynch and that I, as mayor, will not tolerate the lives of Londoners being put at risk.

"The capital is rightly fed-up with pointless, futile and destructive strikes."