Tube strike looms 'because of rise in attacks on staff'

A vote on a tube strike over attacks on staff is 'inevitable' says a union boss
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Chloe Chaplain14 October 2016

Tube staff are set to vote on strike action in after they reported an increase in attacks in the wake of the closure of ticket offices.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association are in a dispute with TfL over the transfer of ticket office staff on to station concourses.

A survey of union members revealed an increase in verbal abuse and physical attacks over the past few months.

General secretary Manuel Cortes has written to LU, saying: "TSSA'S survey has revealed alarming facts of Tube working life.

"Unless remedial action is taken immediately, an industrial action ballot is now inevitable."

The TSSA has around 1,600 members involved in the dispute.

Steve Griffiths, Transport for London's chief operating officer for London Underground, said: "Everyone has the right to go about their work without fear or intimidation and we do not tolerate any form of verbal or physical assault on our staff.

"Our campaign against workplace violence sends a clear message that any assault on staff will be fully investigated and we work closely with the British Transport Police to bring perpetrators to justice. "

Last month workers walked out over claims their toilet breaks were being timed by stopwatch.

In a separate development Sadiq Khan today presented a business case for devolving suburban rail services to TfL saying it would help create thousands of new houses and jobs in outer London, while remaining cost neutral to the Government.

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