Tube drivers today threatened industrial action in the run-up to Christmas in a row over train security.
They are demanding improved measures to protect drivers and passengers, and accuse Tube chiefs of “dragging their feet” over the issue.
Aslef, the drivers’ union, covers the majority of the 3,400 Tube drivers, meaning industrial action would cause widespread disruption.
Earlier this year, drivers voted nine-to-one in favour of industrial action over the issue. The union held back from any action pending further talks.
Now an article in the monthly in-house Aslef Journal has brought the issue back to the fore, claiming current security measures are “ineffective”.
Raising the threat of future industrial action, it said: “We feel London Underground management is just stalling until our ballot mandate runs out.
“Our view is that LU should be informed that our ballot mandate will be maintained. We do not want this matter to be left to fester with no genuine commitments given by LU.”
Nick Dent, LU’s director of line operations, said: “The safety of our customers and staff is something we will never compromise on, and ensuring the security of our network is a key part of that.
"We have been working closely with our trade unions to understand their concerns. We are also committed to implementing a long-term solution and we are working with our unions on this.”
An Aslef spokesman said: “As a trade union, we believe that the security of the railway, the safety of passengers and railway staff, is paramount.
"We hope LU management feels the same in these troubled times and, if they do, then they know what they have to do. We fervently hope they will do the right thing.”
In July, the Evening Standard revealed how a Tube driver had been caught up in a brawl when two men allegedly forced their way into her cab.
She was left “badly shaken” but managed to bring the train safely into Angel station.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union and Aslef will stage a 24-hour walkout on November 7 on the Central and Waterloo & City lines. This will mean the lines will have no services all day. RMT members on the Piccadilly line, which serves Heathrow Airport, will strike from noon on the same day, affecting services for the rest of the day and on the morning of November 8.
Nigel Holness, director of network operations at London Underground, said: “The strike action called by both RMT and Aslef is totally unjustifiable.
“We will keep customers up-to-date to help them re-plan their journeys and will continue to talk to the union leadership in order to try to resolve these disputes.”
