Boxing Day Tube strike to go ahead

London’s Tube drivers will stage a 24-hour strike on Boxing Day, in a row over bank holiday pay.

Members of the union Aslef voted by 9-1 in favour of the walkout, and last-minute talks with London Underground (LU) collapsed today.

They also plan to strike on January 18 and 25, threatening serious disruption to the underground network.

The strike could affect a number of Premier League and Football League matches and could lead to the postponement of Arsenal v West Ham United at Emirates Stadium, Fulham v Southampton at Craven Cottage and QPR v West Brom at Loftus Road.

Howard Collins, LU’s chief operating officer, said: “We have been in discussions with the Aslef leadership to find a way to end this dispute and we made what we believed was a very fair offer. Unfortunately, this was not accepted and the offer has now been withdrawn.

“LU has a long-standing agreement with all trade unions which covers working arrangements on bank holidays, including Boxing Day. However, we have shown good faith and tried to find ways forward.

“Further industrial action will not achieve anything and I would urge Aslef leadership to work with us to resolve this dispute.”

Aslef represents more than half of the Tube’s 3,200 drivers. Many drivers who belong to the rival union, the RMT, are also expected to refuse to cross picket lines.

Aslef members want three days off in lieu for working bank holidays.