RMT press release, issued today

London's biggest Tube union RMT is balloting members at Tube Lines for industrial action over pay following an offer that would have left them worse off than colleagues working for Metronet and London Underground.

"RMT is determined that Tube Line members don't fall behind in terms of rates of pay and conditions of service with other colleagues on the Tube netork," said RMT general secretary Bob Crow today.

He said that since the introduction of the PPP contracts, Tube Lines had made enormous profits and could find the money for a similar deal already reached on the Tube network.

"Despite this, they have tabled an inferior pay offer this year, made no movement on improving annual leave and continue to keep the door closed to the pension fund and full travel facilities for newer employees," Bob Crow said.

Tube Lines ballot papers go out on Monday August 4 and the ballot closes on August 13.