Early morning commuters form queues to board buses at Victoria station during a tube strike in London on July 9, 2015. (AFP Photo)
LONDON:
Train drivers' union Aslef said on Monday it had called a second 24-hour strike on the London Underground rail network for next month over plans to introduce a new night service.
A union spokesman said the stoppage would begin at 9:30 p.m. (2030 GMT) on Wednesday Aug. 5.
Last Thursday, the first 24-hour stoppage by Aslef drivers and three other rail unions brought the 'Tube' to a complete halt and caused travel chaos in London.
The unions are unhappy with the pay and terms offered by London Underground (LU) to implement a 24-hour service at weekends on some lines, starting in September.
Earlier this month, the unions rejected a final offer from LU bosses which included an average 2 percent pay rise, a 2,000 pound ($3,070) 'transition bonus' for night-time drivers and a 500-pound one-off payment.
London Underground said in a statement it was willing to hold talks this week to resolve the issue.
Steve Griffiths, London Underground's Chief Operating Officer, added: 'We have made a very fair and reasonable offer on pay and the introduction of the Night Tube and we continue to urge the trade unions to put it to their members.'
© Thomson Reuters 2015