Tube workers' victory over safety fears

Members of the rail union RMT who refused to work during the firefighters' dispute because of safety fears have won back the pay they were docked.

During the FBU firefighters' union dispute of 2002-03, over 500 tube workers refused to work on the grounds of safety on FBU strike days. London Underground responded by sending the staff home without pay.

Fifteen RMT members who had pay deducted as a result of their action took London Underground to an employment tribunal to force the company to repay the docked wages. The tribunal was due to last for three weeks, but on the first day London Underground offered to settle the case outside the tribunal and reinstate the workers' pay.

For more information, see the RMT Finsbury Park Branch Monthly News, March 2004. E-mail: [email protected]