New war of words erupts over Tube ticket office closures
A new war of words erupted today in the increasingly bitter dispute over ticket office closures on London Underground.
The RMT has called two strikes after accusing tube bosses of failing to listen during more than 40 meetings.
The union claims its detailed analysis reveals a threat to more than 1,700 jobs - far in excess of the official LU figure of 950.
London Underground accused the union of double counting and said the RMT was trying to block all modernisation.
Doubt was cast over a fresh attempt to settle the dispute today when tube bosses suggested the RMT might boycott the next round of talks with the tube unions.
But RMT negotiator John Leach insisted he would take part, despite Monday's planned strike.
"This is the first wave of a number of cuts and that's why we're taking a very strong approach to it. The people of London as well as the tube staff deserve better," he told ITV London.
"Let's just hope these talks bare some fruit. Let's hope the management don't just come here and push around the same vacuous ideas for another 8 weeks."