As the last issue of Tubeworker reported [1], Metronet workers are heading towards strike action. Today, RMT announced that it is to ballot its Metronet members [2] for strike action against the Infraco's plan to transfer some of its employees to Bombardier.

The transfer means, in effect, re-privatising workers who have already been privatised under the PPP. It also divides the workforce between different employers, deepening the fragmentation which has caused so many problems on the Tube.

We need a massive Yes vote as the launch for effective strike action to stop this plan in its tracks. Stations, trains and service control staff should also be preparing to refuse to work on safety grounds during Metronet strike action. Why should we keep lifts in service if there is no-one available to fix them if they break? How can we drive trains safely if the Fleet has not be properly checked?