Pay dispute sparks Christmas strikes

Members of the RMT and Unite unions could walk out in a strike that could halt London Underground services over the Christmas period as the workers are responsible for maintaining its electrical systems.

The workers rejected a two year pay deal of 1.5 per cent for 2009-10 and RPI plus 0.5 per cent for 2010-11.

The unions said that since the privatisation and outsourcing of maintenance work on the Underground workers at EDF Powerlink have fallen behind on pay and overtime rates.

The workers are looking to close the gap between their pay and rival companies.

At a meeting on Monday the company made a new offer which included a marginal increase in the overtime rates but no increase in basic pay.

The unions put forward an alternative solution, which would have cost the company less and benefited more employees, but this alternative was rejected by the privateer.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "Our EDF Powerlink members are furious at the failure of the company to make a meaningful pay offer.

"Instead of entering into serious talks they have run to the courts and have wheeled out the anti-union laws in an attempt to shackle RMT.

"Unless we receive a positive offer this action will go ahead and the consequences for the Underground will be serious.

"We are calling on EDF to get back around the table to make a serious effort to resolve this dispute."

Unite regional officer John Morgan-Evans added: "Our members have seen their pay slowly eroded over years and they are now making a stand.

"EDF have failed to reach a compromise with Unite and now there is a high risk that the Tube will be brought to a halt at the busiest time of year."

Strike action is due to start at 8pm on Tuesday night and end at 8pm on Sunday December 27 with a break on Christmas Day when no shifts are scheduled. An open-ended overtime ban began on Tuesday.