The decision came after union leadersMr Lynch said the RDG had"torpedoed" negotiations by reneging on a 9% offer the union had been considering for several weeks, by making the first year's 5% pay deal contingent on withdrawing its mandate for strike action.The RMT said that would remove its"industrial leverage at the negotiating table" and it had no choice but to strike.
But the RDG have called the action"unnecessary" and accused the unions of"senselessly targeting both the final of Eurovision and the FA cup final". "The vote that really matters is for the deal on the table developed in conjunction with RMT negotiators but then subsequently rejected out of hand in unflattering terms by their executive committee.