Metronet “disappointed” by strike action
Tube operator, Metronet, has expressed its disappointment at the decision by the RMT to call its members out on strike.
On Monday this week, the union announced that track and signal engineers employed by Metronet would stage a 24-hour stoppage next week.
The move comes in response to the sacking of seven Tube workers at Farringdon station last year.
In a statement issued today, Metronet took issue with the RMT’s claim that the strike action had won “overwhelming” support.
“Just 20 per cent of all the people entitled to vote in the ballot, voted for strike action,” a Metronet spokesman said. “We now face the prospect of disruption to a key London service because of the actions of a small number of individuals – and because seven individuals flouted basic safety rules.”
Metronet said the employees in questions had been sacked for either bringing alcohol on to operational premises or for not reporting it.
The strike action scheduled for March 12th will cause disruption to services on the Circle and District, Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City and East London lines.
The RMT is calling for the reinstatement of the sacked workers and has accused Metronet of conducting a “witch hunt”.
The two parties are due to hold further meetings next week in the hope of reaching a breakthrough. The RMT general secretary Bob Crow has warned of further industrial action if the men are not reinstated.
