Tube workers may reject Games offer

Thousands of London Underground workers will be advised to reject a payment of £850 each for working during the Olympic Games, their union the RMT has said.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union had declared a dispute with LU almost two weeks ago because of a lack of progress over the Olympic payment which the union said would affect 18,000 workers.

Some 150 union representatives unanimously agreed to advise their members to reject the offer because it does not include drivers and said they will write to London Underground demanding "an Olympic bonus for all staff without strings".

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: ""Our reps have made it clear that we want the Olympics to succeed and will work within the existing frameworks in a co-operative manner to ensure this happens.

"All we want is a deal that ensures that the extra work and efforts of our staff are fairly rewarded with a substantial Olympic bonus of the same value made to all grades without the array of strings currently attached.

"The matter will now be considered again by the executive."

Last week Unite, which represents engineering, electrical, power control and management workers, rejected the same £850 offer.

Unite said the company is demanding "unlimited flexibility" for an indefinite period of time after the Games have finished.