Boris plans RMT talks

TALKS between warring London Underground (LU) and the Rail and Maritime (RMT) union will resume tomorrow, London mayor Boris Johnson said yesterday, as fears of further tube strikes grow in the capital.

Discussions between the two parties collapsed last week, leading to a 48 hour strike London’s 3.5m commuters, and a slanging match between both sides.

Johnson, chair of Transport for London (TfL) called the RMT leadership “demented”, while the RMT accused TfL and LU of deliberately provoking the dispute.

The unions concerns over job security remain unresolved, and a fresh row is set to break out as the RMT warns of “potentially disastrous” risks over a £60m cut in maintenance.

The union said senior managers revealed the cuts, on the lines formerly maintained by collapsed company Metronet, during a meeting with tube unions.

LU have rejected the allegations, saying there was “no truth” in claims that safety standards on former Metronet lines have been relaxed.

The RMT say further strikes are a possibility if its concerns remain unresolved.