ASLEF members working on the Night Tube service, which launched last August, have voted unanimously to strike in a dispute over their right to apply for full-time jobs.
Drivers working on the service are blocked from moving into vacant full-time positions for at least 18 months, a policy condemned by both ASLEF and fellow Tube union, the RMT, whose members backed industrial action earlier this week.
According to ASLEF and the Electoral Reform Services, which oversaw the ballot, 75% of eligible workers took part in the vote, of which 100% backed taking action.
The strikes will take place on 8th April and 29th April.
Finn Brennan, ASLEF’s organiser on London Underground, said: “Under the previous Mayor, London Underground pushed through the recruitment of part-time staff to operate Night Tube because they weren’t prepared to find a fair way to roster the work with full time staff.
“Boris Johnson believed that new part-time recruits could be used to undermine trade unions and attack conditions for existing staff. Instead, these new recruits saw that it made sense to join and get active in ASLEF and have now delivered a huge yes vote to strike.
“ASLEF is determined to achieve a fair deal for Night Tube drivers just as we are for every other member.
“The executive committee has decided to give London Underground much longer than the normal seven days’ notice of industrial action that is required by law, so that there is ample opportunity for London Underground management to reach an agreement with us.
“I hope they will take advantage of this opportunity to avoid the necessity to take strike action.”
