Londoners rejoice — the Tube strike has been called off. Following discussions through the ACAS arbitration service, the RMT and TSSA unions have called off the second 48 hour strike due to begin tomorrow. It seems to be a draw, with neither Transport for London nor the unions being crowned the winner.
In return for calling off all industrial action, TfL has agreed to two months of intensive talks ‘to examine LU’s proposals in detail’, combined with a review of every station which significantly ‘could result in some ticket offices remaining open.’ Boris Johnson said:
‘TfL’s negotiators have been ready since November to discuss the detail around ticket office closures and wider modernisation of the Tube. It’s welcome news that the unions appear to recognise that, and will return to full and substantive discussions with TfL between now and the end of the consultation period in early April.
‘Sitting down to discuss those proposals, free from the prospect of strike action, was always the only sensible way forward.
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