Dominic Tobin, The Sunday Times
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A threatened two-day strike on the London Underground has probably been averted following negotiations between executives and union leaders.
The planned disruption would have caused chaos on the network and affected millions of passengers.
Bob Crow, General Secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, RMT announced he will recommend the walkout be formally called off when the Executive Committee meet on Monday.
Members had voted to strike on April 28 and 29 in a dispute over working conditions and pension arrangements with Transport for London (TfL), the body that is responsible for London’s transport system.
Workers from collapsed maintenance company Metronet, who are due to transfer to TfL had demanded the same rights as their new colleagues.
Following talks, Crow said: “We now have in writing undertakings that when the Metronet contracts are taken back in-house by TfL there will be no outsourcing and all Metronet staff will be entitled to join the TfL pension fund and enjoy the same travel facilities as other TfL employees.
“That marks substantial progress and tonight’s developments will be placed before the RMT executive on Monday but on the basis of the written assurances received tonight I will be recommending that the dispute be ended.
“It is difficult to understand why these assurances could not have been given without us having to name strike dates.”
TfL were unavailable for comment.
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