Tube Strike Suspended

10 May 2011, 19:38 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A series of planned strikes by Tube workers in a row over the sacking of two drivers has been called off.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union were set to walk out next week and from June 13, threatening travel chaos for millions of commuters.

One of the sacked men, Bakerloo Line driver Eamonn Lynch, has won his claim of unfair dismissal, while the other dismissed worker, Northern Line driver Arwyn Thomas, is also taking a case to an employment tribunal.

LU's announcement that the strikes were off followed talks today between the company and RMT leaders.

Mike Brown, LU's managing director, said: "As we've always said, there are established mechanisms in place to deal with individual disputes, and that is the process that has been followed here.

"Following a meeting with the RMT leadership this morning, the RMT have withdrawn their threat of industrial action, and we have avoided significant disruption for London.

"Responding to the results of the employment tribunal, not to the threat of strike action, London Underground has agreed to re-engage Mr Lynch in our employment in an alternative position and to discuss Mr Thomas' case further ahead of the planned tribunal.

"We are pleased to have secured agreement from the RMT leadership to jointly engage in an independent review of industrial disputes in London Underground."

General secretary Bob Crow said: "This dispute has only ever been about securing justice for our members who have been unfairly dismissed.

"As a result of this agreement, Eamonn Lynch can return to work with his continuity of employment and standard of living protected.

"We now also have an agreement to enter into further discussions with relation to Arwyn Thomas, aimed at resolving his unfair dismissal case in advance of his employment tribunal."