Night Tube was first announced in October 2013 at the same time as London Underground bosses and Tory mayor Boris Johnson announced plans for massive cuts to the tube and the closure of every ticket office.

The RMT has held the position since day one that we are willing to discuss any increase in Tube services. In this official union decision in November 2013 we made our position clear:

In September 2014, the date that London Underground plan to launch Night Tube was announced, but still bosses hadn't agreed with the workers via their unions how it would be staffed.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash again reiterated our general support for increased passenger services, but voiced concerns too:

In April 2015 as the unions and LUL discussed a new pay deal, bosses dropped a bombshell - they insisted Night Tube would be a part of the offer, and what they were offering was just 0.5% in real terms and a one off £500 bonus to certain workers affected by Night Tube.

John Reed, RMT London Transport Region Executive member explained the union position:

Despite this poor offer, with no adequate remuneration for the increased unsociable hours Night Tube, the RMT and sister unions were happy to continue talking, but London Underground bosses wanted to call in ACAS early. By the end of April they had offered just one quarter of a percent more to the 2 year deal.

John Leach RMT Regional Organiser reported:

In mid May with no agreement reached, London Underground attempted to bypass company wide negotiations by sending out new Night Tube rosters for local reps to agree. This was described as a 'hostile act' by the RMT and as London Underground refused to withdraw these rosters we had no option but to enter into dispute.

Night Tube Local Consultation Letter 'A Hostile Act'

Due to this imposition of rosters and no attempt to withdraw them a time when the union hadn't agreed Night Tube working, we balloted for strike action. The ballot period ran from 16th to 30th of June, and the response was an overwhelming YES vote to strike action. This came soon after a big yes vote from ASLEF members too.

TUBE STRIKE NEXT WEEK 92% VOTE IN FAVOUR

On July 1st, once the clear ballot result was returned, we announced a 24 hour strike for the 8th and 9th of July. This is to be a joint strike with ASLEF, TSSA and UNITE.

Then on July 6th London Underground bosses made what they described as their 'final offer.' This came 20 months after bosses first announced a weekend tube service throughout the night, and it still didn't respond to RMT tube members aspirations. How could LUL bosses get it so wrong?