Tube workers belonging to the TSSA union have voted to join strikes previously announced by the RMT union in protest at job cuts and the closing of all ticket offices.
The union says members voted by a majority of 58.8% on a 52% turnout in favour of the strikes which are due to take place on 4-6th February and 11-13th February.
Both the RMT and TSSA say the plans will render the Tube network unsafe and place passengers at risk, claims denied by Tube bosses who insist every station will remain staffed.
London Underground says new technology will allow ticket hall and platform staff to assist passengers with ticket purchases and that it is committed to ensuring the network is accessible to mobility impaired passengers.
Last week Tube bosses claimed the strikes were unnecessary because they and unions shared the same commitment to passenger safety and customer service.
Announcing the result of the strike ballot, TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “It is now time for Boris to sit down with his staff representatives and negotiate a sensible deal which will protect the safety and security of the travelling public as well as the long term interests of our members.”
Commenting on the vote, Phil Hufton, LU’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We’re committed to implement changes to station staffing without compulsory redundancies and we’ve been clear that there’ll be a job for everyone at LU who wants to work for us and be flexible.
“I re-affirm these commitments to the TSSA leadership, whose own Passenger Charter detailing what they want from us is identical to the commitments we have already set out, and I am urging them to abandon this completely unnecessary strike action and to proceed with the consultation that is underway without threatening to disrupt Londoners.”
