Union chiefs call for urgent talks with London mayor to avert tube strike
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union are due to walk out on Monday
Last updated 1st Jun 2022
Union leaders are calling for urgent talks with London Mayor Sadiq Khan in a bid to try and avert a 24-hour Tube strike.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union are set to walk out on Monday, threatening travel chaos immediately after the Jubilee weekend.
Why are union members striking?
The union is protesting over job cuts and what they’re calling a "looming threat" to pensions.
RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: "We are demanding a direct face to face meeting with Mayor Sadiq Khan to sort this mess out.
"There's no point in our union continuing to sit opposite management representatives who have neither the inclination nor the authority to negotiate a settlement, when the power lies with the Mayor.
"The Mayor of London has tax-raising powers. Just four banks made a profit of £34bn last year and are set to pay out over £4bn in bonuses to London traders.
“A windfall tax on those profits would more than adequately fund London's transport network.
"Mayor Khan must choose either the take on the Tory government and demand a just funding deal for Londoners or attack loyal Tube workers who keep the capital moving day in day out."
Transport for London said it remains open to further talks and that strike action has been called despite there being no proposals to change pensions or agreements and no job losses.