Thousands of Tube staff vote for strike action in separate disputes

London Underground staff have voted to strike in separate disputes over staffing, safety and industrial relations.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said 85% of station and platform staff who have voted backed walkouts over staffing and safety.

A similar number of union members working as drivers on the Tube's Piccadilly Line supported industrial action over a "wholesale breakdown" in industrial relations.

The two disputes involve about 3,400 workers.

Meanwhile, a separate union, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, will ballot hundreds of its Tube members for strikes over the closure of ticket offices.

It is thought the two unions could co-ordinate action in the run up to Christmas.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Members on the London Underground stations see day in and day out the toxic impact of the job cuts programme and they are reporting back that it is horrific.

"With (Other OTC: WWTH - news) the constant overcrowding on stations and platforms it is only a matter of time before there is a major tragedy if we don't act decisively."

The TSSA claimed its members had been subjected to increasing amounts of threats and abuse since the transport network started closing ticket offices.

A closure programme called Fit for the Future (Other OTC: FRNWF - news) was introduced by former London mayor Boris Johnson. His successor Sadiq Khan has ordered a review of the ticket office closures.

TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said: "My members ... are overstretched by the rosters, stressed by how unsafe the Tube has become, and fed up with the spikes in abuse, both verbal and physical, from passengers."

Transport for London's chief operating officer for London Underground, Steve Griffiths, said: "Our staff work hard to serve the millions of customers that pass through the Tube and rail network every day.

"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."