Tube union rejects pay offer

Leaders of thousands of London Underground workers today rejected a pay offer and warned of a dispute unless an improvement is made within the next two weeks.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union said an offer of a 2% rise or a three-year deal worth 2.5% now and at least 2% in each of the following two years was an "insult".

The union, which represents 8,000 Tube workers, is seeking a "substantial" increase.

General secretary Bob Crow said: "LU must come up with a serious offer rather than this insult.

"A rise of 2% falls well short of our members' aspirations, especially at a time of such great uncertainty."

The union said it wanted to reach a deal as soon as possible given the possible developments with the planned public private partnership for the Tube.

"We have therefore given LU until April 18 to come up with a sensible offer or we will consider ourselves in dispute," said Mr Crow.

RMT members on London's Docklands Light Railway are currently being consulted on whether to accept a 5.7% pay offer.