Tube strike row could go to court

Tube bosses are attempting to avert a planned Boxing Day strike by drivers through court action, it has been announced.

London Underground is trying to prevent the 24-hour walkout by members of the drivers’ union Aslef on Sunday by taking legal action.

The strike action has been called over a disputed claim for triple pay and a day off in lieu.

There will be a court case on Thursday afternoon, if the union does not agree to Transport for London’s request to withdraw their action.

A spokesman said: “LU is currently seeking an injunction to prevent the potentially disruptive and completely unnecessary strike action called by the leadership of the Aslef union. The union has unilaterally ripped up a long-standing agreement on pay and working hours that gave LU employees increased pay and 6.8 weeks holiday in return for working some bank holidays, including Boxing Day.

“We have tried to resolve this dispute through negotiation, but our offer to reduce the number of drivers rostered to work on Boxing Day was flatly rejected and union representatives walked out of talks at Acas. This left us no option but to seek a legal solution.”

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