The threat of a strike by London Underground workers over job cuts and ticket office closures is set to come a step closer today when union leaders discuss moves for an industrial action ballot.
The prospect of strikes was raised last week after London Mayor Boris Johnson unveiled huge changes on the Tube, including a new 24-hour service at weekends and staff based in ticket halls and on platforms rather than in ticket offices.
There will be 750 job losses, although London Underground said it would seek to avoid compulsory redundancies.
LU employs 18,000, including 5,500 station staff.
The plans will deliver savings of around £50 million a year, or £270 million over the term of Transport for London's business plan to 2020/21.
A Rail Maritime and Transport union spokesman said: "RMT will be meeting with our sister union TSSA to discuss a joint campaign over Boris Johnson's plan to axe nearly 1,000 Tube jobs and to close all ticket offices and we will be confirming an exact timetable and dates for a ballot for industrial action later in the day."
The Mayor said there would be a "proper period of consultation" with staff over the changes, adding he hoped employees would see the benefit of the proposals.
"I very much hope it will not come to a strike," said the Mayor.
LU said only a small fraction of travellers use ticket offices.
Phil Hufton, London Underground's chief operating officer, said: "We've promised 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'll be more staff in ticket halls and on gatelines to help customers buy the right ticket and keep them safe and secure.
"We're clear that there'll be a job for everyone at LU who wants to work for us and be flexible, that we'll make these changes with no compulsory redundancies, and that we'll involve staff in our plans at every stage and support them through change.
"We are now consulting with our unions and staff on our future vision, and I would urge the RMT and TSSA to work with us to shape our plans, rather than threaten hard-working Londoners with completely unnecessary strike action."
