RMT London Underground members on the Rickmansworth Group have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action next Thursday (August 7, 2008) following a local management decree that a number of CSA members were alleged to be surplus to requirements and compulsorily transferred.

"These draconian measures were taken despite staff being assured by the general station manager that they were part and parcel of the normal reserve compliment and some staff actually moved home on the strength of it," said RMT general secretary Bob Crow today.

Following swift action by local RMT representatives, management had backed off to allow for natural wastage to occur, reducing the number of supposed surpluses by about a third.

However, management has refused to consider extending the period to allow natural wastage and issued members with notices of compulsory transfer to be kicked out of the group by August 10 2008.

"There is no way the union can tolerate this. Management may like a situation where staff members are just a resource of no fixed abode that can be moved around as they see fit. Perhaps that's why they are trying it on at Rickmansworth," said Bob Crow.