Tube workers set to strike

9:58am Wednesday 6th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A STRING of underground stations could be closed tomorrow as tube workers prepare to strike.

Staff at stations between North Harrow and Rickmansworth on the Metropolitan Line are protesting over plans to move them into central London.

Members of the RMT will be picketing and, with a number of stations expected to be left completely unstaffed, leaders of the group say some may have to close for health and safety reasons.

The row broke out after employees were initially moved to the Rickmansworth branch of the line but later told they had to move because London Underground had employed more people than were needed.

Oliver New, the union's executive, said: “People have moved home and they've settled in the area. They are now being told they have to Baker Street or Paddington.”

The union claims a compromise which would solve the dispute has been drawn up between its members and local managers, but has been rejected by the London Underground's central offices.

The strike, which starts at 6.30am, does not involve drivers.