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COMMUTERS have escaped more travel misery, after a planned Tube strike was called OFF.
MISERY: Last week, a similar 48-hour London Underground strike caused travel chaos in the capital
London Underground workers were set for a 48-hour walkout from 9pm tonight.
But, the action will no longer go ahead, after unions suspended their walkout.
This morning, talks were held between union chiefs and Transport for London [TfL] bosses, led by the Acas conciliation service.
Unions have been campaigning against controversial plans to close all 260 Tube ticket offices, meaning the loss of 950 jobs.
A last-minute deal has now been reached, allowing both sides more time to reach a lasting solution.
UNION: RMT leader Bob Crow is also thought to have reached an agreement
The RMT union - led by Bob Crow - joined the TSSA union in confirming an agreement had been reached.
Mr Crow said: "After two days of intensive and detailed discussions through the offices of Acas we have now received proposals that halt the implementation of the job cuts which gives us the opportunity to discuss all of the issues away from the pressure cooker.
"We now have a golden opportunity to look again in detail at all of the concerns we have raised about the impact of the cuts on our members and the services that they provide to Londoners.
"That is exactly what we have been calling for throughout this dispute."
A TSSA spokesman said: "We have now agreed a process where all our serious concerns over safety and job losses will be seriously addressed through the normal channels.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said he was "pleased" union bosses had agreed to call off the strike, avoiding "further unnecessary disruption to London and Londoners".
Last week, a similar 48-hour Tube strike caused travel chaos in the capital.
It is estimated the industrial action cost small firms around £600m in lost working hours, business and productivity.
But, Mr Johnson vowed he will push ahead with "essential" modernisation of the London Underground.
He added: "It is essential that our hard-working and dedicated staff, who are vital to the delivery of that vision, understand the changes we are proposing.
"Sitting down to discuss those proposals, free from the prospect of strike action, was always the only sensible way forward.
"I'm grateful to TfL's negotiating team and pleased the unions agree this is the right way forward."
MISERY: Last week, a similar 48-hour London Underground strike caused travel chaos in the capital But, the action will no longer go ahead, after unions suspended their walkout.
This morning, talks were held between union chiefs and Transport for London [TfL] bosses, led by the Acas conciliation service.
Unions have been campaigning against controversial plans to close all 260 Tube ticket offices, meaning the loss of 950 jobs.
A last-minute deal has now been reached, allowing both sides more time to reach a lasting solution.
UNION: RMT leader Bob Crow is also thought to have reached an agreement
Mr Crow said: "After two days of intensive and detailed discussions through the offices of Acas we have now received proposals that halt the implementation of the job cuts which gives us the opportunity to discuss all of the issues away from the pressure cooker.
"We now have a golden opportunity to look again in detail at all of the concerns we have raised about the impact of the cuts on our members and the services that they provide to Londoners.
"That is exactly what we have been calling for throughout this dispute."
A TSSA spokesman said: "We have now agreed a process where all our serious concerns over safety and job losses will be seriously addressed through the normal channels.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said he was "pleased" union bosses had agreed to call off the strike, avoiding "further unnecessary disruption to London and Londoners".
Last week, a similar 48-hour Tube strike caused travel chaos in the capital.
It is estimated the industrial action cost small firms around £600m in lost working hours, business and productivity.
But, Mr Johnson vowed he will push ahead with "essential" modernisation of the London Underground.
He added: "It is essential that our hard-working and dedicated staff, who are vital to the delivery of that vision, understand the changes we are proposing.
"Sitting down to discuss those proposals, free from the prospect of strike action, was always the only sensible way forward.
"I'm grateful to TfL's negotiating team and pleased the unions agree this is the right way forward."
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