TUBE UNION RMT today pledged an all out fight over the threat to safety, jobs and working conditions from cuts plans announced by Transport for London and expected attacks being worked up by contractor Tube Lines as they look to slash £1.3 billion from the tube upgrade budget.

RMT's executive passed a motion last night condemning the cynical attempt by TfL to smuggle out their threat to axe 800 jobs in ticket offices and on platforms, a move that RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said will turn London's tube stations into a "muggers paradise".

RMT had twice leaked details of the TfL secret threat to close ticket offices and slash staffing levels at tube stations - on both occasions TfL accused the union of "scaremongering" but shamefaced tube bosses have now been forced to admit that RMT was right all along and that the Mayor's pre-election pledges not to close ticket offices and reduce staff are now in tatters.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

"It is a disgrace that the Mayor and his top managers have tried to smuggle out this jobs-bombshell via the backdoor rather than using agreed procedures. They are right to be ashamed of plans to turn our tube stations into a muggers paradise and they should be under no illusions that RMT will mobilise a public and political campaign, including a ballot for industrial action if need be, to stop these lethal attacks on jobs and tube safety.

"We have also written to Tube Lines giving them until next Thursday to give us concrete assurances that they will pull back from attacks on jobs, safety and working conditions as a result of the £1.3 billion row with the Mayor. Essential tube works, and the jobs and conditions our members, should not end up as the collateral damage in the war over the failed tube privatisation experiment."