London Underground workers now seem almost certain to take industrial action the management's *Company Plan proposals to axe 6,000 jobs and impose new contracts of employment.
The result of a ballot of RMT transport union members was due on tuesday as socalist Outlock went to press, with a heavy yes vote anticipated Drivers' union ASLEF has already rejected the principle of the Company Plan after a membership referendum and is now expected to hold a second ballot, this time over industrial action.
The continuing series of crises facing the Conservative government and the massive tumout on recent demonstrations in support of the miners have played a significant role in boosting rank and file confidence.
Anger has also been stoked utbacks for London's rapidly deteriorating tube system, announced in chancellor Norman Lamont's Autumn Statement While the Jubilee Line extension to Docklands may get the go-ahead if the 1 private sector €400 towards the project, desperately-needed moves to modernise the Northern Line and lengthen the East London line have now been nixed.
Taking action now - and linking up with the many other sector workers facing mass sackingscould result in a bloody nose for both the tube bosses and the Tories. Will the Circle be unbroken?