A DISPUTE which saw travellers in London endure severe disruption during a 48-hour strike by Tube workers has been resolved.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) today (Wednesday) hailed an agreement with London Underground (LU) as a “major breakthrough” that will protect thousands of jobs.

The RMT was concerned that thousands of members of staff were going to be made redundant in order to avoid duplicating positions when failed maintenance firm Metronet was integrated into LU.

The agreement means there will be no job losses and negotiations will begin on pay rises.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said: “This shows what can be done by workers showing solidarity with their colleagues.”

LU will now meet with Advice Consiliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) to discuss a final, above inflation, two-year pay offer of 1.5 per cent this year.

Richard Parry, LU managing director, said: “Nothing has changed since the RMT's pointless strike action, which only lost those staff who took part two days pay.

“We have been absolutely clear that we sought to avoid compulsory redundancies and this remains the case.

“We now look forward to a resolution and fair pay agreement that is in the best interests of Londoners and all our staff.”

Commuters in Waltham Forest were among the worst hit with the Victoria and Central lines both affected by a strike on June 9 and 10.

The Victoria line was suspended between Walthamstow Central and Seven Sisters and a shuttle service ran between Liverpool Street to Epping and Hainault on the Central Line during the strike.