London Tube strike: TfL bosses in appeal to RMT

Tube bosses have appealed for a series of strikes to be called off, saying they will reinstate a sacked driver if told to by an employment tribunal.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said its members would walk out on 19, 27 and 29 June and 1 July.

The action is in support of Arwyn Thomas, who has taken a claim of unfair dismissal to a tribunal.

Transport for London (TfL) said it would reinstate Mr Thomas if the tribunal ruled it should do so.

"The RMT leadership should call off its threatened strike action, called in support of a member of staff dismissed for abusive behaviour towards his colleagues," a TfL spokesman said.

'Little' impact

It added that London Underground managing director Mike Brown was writing to the RMT's Bob Crow on Thursday morning.

The letter would "confirm that should the employment tribunal rule that Mr Thomas should be reinstated or re-engaged, we will abide by that decision," TfL said.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: "RMT has not received any letter giving cast-iron guarantees on the re-employment of Arwyn Thomas.

"For us to change our current position there must be an indication from the company that if Arwyn wins his case then re-engagement will take place.

"The current programme of strike action beginning this Sunday evening remains on."

The result of Mr Thomas's tribunal is expected by the end of June.

TfL said that if Sunday's strike, which begins at 2100 BST, goes ahead, it expects to run a near-normal service on Sunday evening and Monday morning, with "very little" impact on passengers.