Background: The Executive Committees of the RMT and Aslef, the two main tube unons, have agreed to ballot their members over safety concerns. A joint letter sent by both unions to their tube membership said “. . . We believe that the London Underground shadow running and the proposed Public Private Partnership seriously threaten the health and safety of our members and indeed the travelling public. After the tragedies at Southall, Paddington and Hatfield on the mainline railway we are deeply concerned that the same structure will be replicated on the Underground. The intensive service levels and narrow margin for error means a breakdown in safety on the tube will have catastrophic consequences for our members and the public. . . . . Safety is not negotiable and if our demands are not met then both Aslef and the RMT will be ind dispute with these companies. . . . ”

RMT and Aslef have organised a rally for tube workers and the public:

Monday 8th January 6. 30pm
Friends House, Euston

Speakers: Mick Rix (Aslef General Secretary)
Bob Crow (RMT Assistant Gen Sec)
John Monks (TUC Gen Sec)
Ken Livingstone (Mayor of London)