Unions
have warned London Underground (LUL) and the privatised infrastructure
companies to restore rigorous safety standards or face a ballot for industrial
action.
The
RMT union has contacted LUL asking for return to a 24-hourly inspection of all
underground track and an immediate introduction of speed restrictions wherever
track defects are discovered.
The
union also called on LUL to guarantee standards and promise no reduction of
maintenance staff without the agreement of the company council.
It
also wants signalling and rolling-stock maintenance work to be carried out by
qualified LUL employees.
A
spokesman from the RMT said: "If we do not receive a written assurance on
each of these provisions, by midday on Friday, 24 October, we will consider
ourselves to be in dispute.
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"The
union has also reminded its members working for London Underground that they
have the right to take appropriate action – including operating at reduced
speed – should they consider themselves or members of the travelling public to
be endangered," he added.
