TRANSPORT bosses are hoping to avert a tube strike during crisis talks today.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) is planning to stage a 48 hour walk-out from Tuesday evening in a dispute over jobs and pay.

The walk-out would cause misery for millions of commuters and tourists and it has even caused the Football Association to suspend the sale of its remaining tickets for England's match against Andorra at Wembley on Wednesday.

The RMT says a new five-year pay deal linked to deflation would mean a real pay cut for its members. Its members are also concerned about proposed job cuts and allege that bullying of tube staff is rife.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, had earlier urged Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, to "get out of the bunker" and negotiate.

Mr Crow said: "We revealed this week that there are 123 tube bosses earning over £100,000 a year plus bonuses. Instead of attacking our members' jobs and pay the senior managers, who pull in over a quarter a million a year, should start earning their money and start talking to RMT.

“More than a year into his term of office, it’s also about time Boris Johnson met face to face with the biggest tube union to deal with the range of issues which have provoked this dispute on the transport system he has responsibility for."

Transport for London (TfL) said it has always been ready to meet RMT for discussions.

The RMT will meet TfL and tube bosses today for talks and it is hoped industrial action will be averted.