The
proposed firefighters strikes could force the complete closure of the London
Underground system, claim the Aslef and Rail, Maritime and Transport unions.
The
union’s health and safety representatives are to meet this week to decide
whether it is safe to run the tube with reduced fire coverage.
The
Fire Brigades Union has called 36 strike days in a push for a 40 per cent pay
increase.
Bob
Crow, the RMT leader, said: “There is one more thing we are not going to put up
with,” he said. “We’ve had the King’s Cross fire, Hatfield, Potters Bar and
we’ve had Ladbroke Grove. We are not having any more safety being compromised.”
London
Underground bosses said they will have to shut 19 stations, but want to stop a
walkout. Officials are meeting union representatives today to try to head off
the action.
LU
management said it can offer a “slightly reduced service to our customers, but
safety will not be compromised”.
