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London Underground proposes 'part-time' solution to Night Tube row

The proposed Night Tube service may have received a new boost after London Underground (LU) announces plans to hire part-time staff and increase salaries to support the introduction of the over night service.

The Night Tube, which would see five lines run 24-hours a day, starting at weekends, was set to start on 12 September but was delayed following a clash between Transport for London (TfL) and unions over pay and working conditions.

The previous three-year pay offer will be extended to a fourth year, and part-time staff would be hired to support the transition, says LU.

All three unions - The RMT, Aslef and TSSA unions - are considering the offer.

LU has proposed the recruitment of part-time staff to cover the shifts with a £500 bonus for all those working on the Night Tube lines: Jubilee, Victoria, Piccadilly, Central and Northern.

Steve Griffiths, chief operating officer at LU, said: “We have listened to union feedback and have made absolute guarantees which mean no existing driver will have to work the Night Tube, unless they choose to do so. Instead we will hire part-time train drivers.

“We have also been working hard to secure a long-term pay deal in order to provide certainty for our staff and for London, so we are now adding a fourth year to the deal.

“This does not come at any additional cost to the taxpayer as it will be covered by our business plan.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .