In The Press: Northern Line Tube Strike

Northern Line tube drivers are to take industrial action on Monday morning (December 1st) to demand the reinstatement of Alex Mcguigan who was sacked as a result of a flawed alcohol test. Alex is a type two diabetic, a condition which can quite often result in a false positive test result for alcohol. This is well documented medically and there is also legal precedent supporting his case. Because of this his test ought to have been followed by a confirmation urine test to ascertain whether his illness had in fact influenced the test, resulting in a false positive. However this wasn't done - instead Alex was unjustly fired from the job he has held for 26 years.

On the eve of the Northern Line strike, the RMT is debating further action that could be taken to ensure justice is carrie out and Alex is reinstated.

  • BBC NEWS: Northern Line Tube drivers to strike over sacked driver
    "As a result of London Underground's disregard for negotiations and their own procedures Monday's action goes ahead as planned." - Mick Cash

    RMT general secretary Mick Cash: "RMT has been pointing out for some time now that a new culture of harassment and misuse of procedures is rife on London Underground at the moment and the union will not stand back while individuals are fitted up and picked off as has happened in this particular case on the Northern Line."

  • EVENING STANDARD: Northern Line tube strike will go ahead next week after talks break down

    RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Talks at Acas, which RMT had been calling for with the objective of reaching a fair and just settlement in this case, have broken down due to a total refusal of the management side to engage in any kind of meaningful discussions.

    "As a result of London Underground's disregard for negotiations and their own procedures Monday's action goes ahead as planned."

  • THE MORNING STAR: Strike On As Northern Line Victimisation Talks Collapse

    Tube union RMT said there had been "a complete failure of the management side to engage in any serious discussions which could have led to a negotiated settlement" at an Acas meetings.
    The dispute centres around the dismissal of a Tube driver in a case of "victimisation," according to the union.
    Bosses claim he was dismissed for drinking on duty - but union reps last night said this was "totally untrue."

Read more about how the RMT is defending Alex here.