There are new trains running on the Northern Line but commuters are facing the prospect of them not running at all.

A series of strikes is looming as RMT union members are due to cast their votes tomorrow on whether to take industrial action, despite opposition from London Transport, which has been negotiating to try to prevent further disruption of services.

The response to ballot papers issued tomorrow will be known on January 28. If union members vote to strike, Tubes could grind to a halt as soon as the first week in February.

An LT spokesman said: "We can only carry on talking to RMT, the same as we talk to the other unions. It is only the RMT taking this adversorial attitude.

"It will get them nowhere, us nowhere and the passengers nowhere. We are talking about Government policy and we have to implement that. They are asking for conditions in areas we are not certain about."

The union has been asking for guarantees that the future of members' employment will be secure when the Underground is reformed. The spokesman added: "They want to know that whoever takes over the lease of the infastructure will keep certain conditions. But we don't know who they are! It makes it a little difficult."

Bob Crow, the RMT's assistant general secretary, said last week: "RMT members employed by LU are extremely concerned about security. I therefore expect an overwhelming 'yes' vote in favour of industrial action."

The union is asking for assurances that no LUL members will be transferred to any other company without the individual's written consent and that an unconditional guarantee of no compulsory redundancy be made contractual.

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