THE RMT has started to ballot its members today in the dispute over the closing of all the system's ticket offices by 2015, with the loss of 750 jobs. The ballot has begun as the details of 2014 fare rises were published.
The loss of jobs would have been 950, but it is balanced by the need to recruit 200 more train operators to run the capital's first all-night Underground services, which are scheduled to start at about the same time.
London Underground has urged its staff to reject the call for what it says is a 'pointless' strike.
LU's chief operating officer, Phil Hufton, has dismissed claims by RMT general secretary Bob Crow that the proposals will lead to a poorer service for customers with accessibility needs. Mr Hufton said: "Our customers and staff are at the heart of our vision for the future of the Tube, and we've made a series of clear commitments about how we'll introduce these changes.
'I say again: we promise customers that we'll introduce a 24 hour Tube service on five lines during 2015, and our commitment is that all Tube stations will remain staffed at all times when services are operating.
'In future there will be more staff in ticket halls and on gatelines to help customers buy the right ticket and keep them safe and secure."
But Bob Crow is maintaining that safety will be put at risk. He responded: "The ballot is over the threat to jobs across the combine resulting from the plans to close every single ticket office in the face of previous assurances and promises from the Mayor, before he was elected, that he would not close any.
"Those planned staff cuts impact on every single member of tube staff both in terms of future employment prospects, recruitment freezes and in terms of the safe and efficient running of tube services. That is the issue we are balloting on over the coming weeks.
“That is also why the RMT campaign is running under the banner 'Every Job Matters'. The union will be out in force at tube stations, working with community and disability groups, to drive home the truth about these cash-led cuts plans."
The dispute is continuing as the proposals for TfL fare rises were announced. The Mayor's Office said that TfL fares will be frozen in real terms, and that 'fares under the control of the Mayor will go up by less than RPI'.
Pay As You Go fares will go up, in practice, by an average of 1.8 per cent, but Travelcard seasons will cost 4.1 per cent more, reflecting the National Rail average increase for regulated fares. Apart from Underground Zone 1 and journeys between Zones 1 and 2, for which fares will rise by 10p, all other Underground single fares are frozen.
Bob Crow said: "The truth is that with many people facing pay freezes or cuts these fare increases will still hit London's poorest the hardest.
"The cynical attempt to play off fares against cuts to jobs, services and safety will fool no one as this highly politicised stunt unravels for Boris Johnson and the Government. If it wasn't for the savage cuts being imposed on transport services in London by the Tory led Government we could cut fares, retain every staff post and improve passenger services."