London Underground drivers have voted to strike in a row over pay and the introduction of a new all-night Tube service.
Members of Aslef backed industrial action by 97 per cent in a turnout of 81 per cent.
The union says it is not opposed to the new weekend night Tube due to start in September but it is in dispute over pay. Two other unions - the RMT and TSSA - are also balloting their members for strikes, with the results due later in the month.
Aslef said LU was trying to force through new rosters which would mean Tube drivers will have to work an unlimited number of weekend and night shifts for no extra pay.
Members of the rival RMT, which this week began its own ballot in the combined the annual pay and weekend working dispute, will declare its result at the end of the month.
Introduction of the weekend night trains is planned to begin operation on the Jubilee, Victoria and most of the Piccadilly, Central and Northern lines on Fridays and Saturdays from 12 September.
A third union, the TSSA, which looks after white collar and managerial staff, is also voting on the issue with its result due on the dame day as the RMT.
Nick Brown, LU Director, said this week: “We encourage the trade unions to make themselves available to continue our talks at ACAS. We want to reach a settlement that rewards our hard working staff and is fair, affordable and sustainable.”
The three unions will combine strike dates, yet to be announced, which would lead to a total shutdown of the network used by four million people a day.
