Karl Niles has worked for the Underground for 19 years. He has asthma. He works as a CSA in a Section 12 station (Pimlico) on the dustiest line on the combine (the Vic line).

Or he did work there. He doesn't work anywhere now, because London Underground has sacked him - and has upheld the sacking on appeal. Why? Because Karl needed some time off to recover from asthma attacks.

Wow, their humanity knows no bounds, eh? They really have got it in for people who get sick or have a disability.

Of course, it may turn out that this sacking was, legally speaking, unfair and discriminatory, like the sacking of Gianpaolo Vuoto. But that takes months to establish, and even if you win your day in court, it doesn't get you your job back.

So Karl's workmates need to rally round him and prepare for strike action - on Brixton group, and beyond that the rest of the line if possible.