Union Votes for Boxing Day Tube Strike

ASLEF say 90% wanted to take industrial action

The chances of London Underground being disrupted on Boxing Day increased today (17th December) with the announcement by rail union ASLEF that their members had voted for three days of strike action.

Other days affected will be 18th January and 25th January

The union say that the vote among their members working for London Underground showed that 90% favoured industrial action. ‘This result shows the strength of feeling among our tube driver members,’ says general secretary Mick Whelan. ‘We are seeking quite reasonable assurances: that working on this day will be voluntary and that those who do attend will be adequately compensated. It is beyond belief that management cannot make an offer that achieves these points. ’

London Underground's Howard Collins said: "Further industrial action will not achieve anything."

It will be the third successive Boxing Day walkout by Tube drivers, in a dispute over Bank Holiday pay which dates back to an agreement in 1992.

The move was announced after Aslef members voted by 9-1 in favour of strikes in a long-running row over extra pay for working on bank holidays.

"London Underground has a long-standing agreement with all trade unions which covers working arrangements on bank holidays, including Boxing Day," Mr Collins added.

December 17, 2012