LONDON could be hit by another paralysing Tube strike before the end of the month amid a row over the recruitment of night drivers, the Morning Star can reveal.

 

Rail unions have been locked in dispute with London Underground over Tory Mayor Boris Johnson’s plans for all-night running on a number of lines, saying new rosters will adversely affect the staff’s work-life balance.

 

Now drivers’ union Aslef says another strike is “highly likely” to be called next week. The union’s Tube organiser Finn Brennan said bosses had damaged talks’ prospect of success by starting a recruitment campaign for part-time night drivers without the agreement of union reps.

 

“Unless [management] engage seriously with us, it is highly likely we will decide on more industrial action,” Mr Brennan told the Star.

 

“I will be reporting to the [Aslef] executive next week.”

 

Mr Johnson had hoped to launch the night Tube service last September, but he was forced to delay the project after unions staged a series of strikes over the summer.

 

Mr Brennan said it was “highly unlikely” all-night running would go ahead before the mayor steps down in May “unless there’s a major change of attitude by management.”

 

Other rail unions will probably support the action.

 

London Underground chief operating officer Steve Griffiths said: “We are hiring part-time drivers specifically to run the Night Tube.

 

“The recruitment of these drivers does not impact our existing agreements with the unions  and … priority will be given to internal candidates. 

 

“Recruiting part-time drivers will guarantee that no current driver will have to work the Night Tube, unless they choose to do so.”