Drivers of London's underground trains have voted by almost two to one for strike action over the treatment of two union members, the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said today.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the two workers had been victimised for fighting cuts to jobs and services that would "turn the tube into a death trap".
The union said one, a Bakerloo Line health and safety representative, was fired because of his role as a union official, while the other, a Northern Line driver, was sacked on "trumped up" disciplinary charges because of his union activism.
Transport for London (TFL), responsible for the capital's underground system, said the Bakerloo line driver had been dismissed for a breach of Tube safety rules, not for his trade union activities, and that the other driver had been sacked for being abusive to colleagues.
"It is absolute nonsense to suggest that these individuals were dismissed unfairly due to their union activities, and it is disgraceful that the RMT leadership has chosen to ballot for strike action when both cases are still going through the employment tribunal process," a TFL spokesman said.
RMT said it would now consider what action to take following the ballot.
Reuters