Piccadilly Circus tube stationLondon Underground drivers are to stage another 24-hour strike amid a dispute over the new all-night Tube service.

The ASLEF  said the walkout would take place from 9.30pm on , 5 August, threatening more severe disruption to journeys.

The announcement comes less than a week after a 24-hour  caused travel chaos in the capital.

Millions of commuters faced rush-hour misery as they tried to get to and from work during the action that took place from last Wednesday evening, crippling services until morning.
In the biggest walkout in over a decade, the Tube network was shut down with stations closed, while other forms of were packed, even though extra bus and ferry services were laid on.

Plans to toughen up trade union strike laws.

These fresh strikes come as the unveiled to toughen up strike laws, these are summarised below;

What is being proposed?

According to the Department for Business the changes to the strike ballot rules are likely to include:

  • A 50% turnout threshold for ballots on industrial action. Currently balloting rules do not require any specific level of participation by union members.
  • 40% of those eligible to vote must back action for strikes in core public services (Health, Education, Transport & Fire Services). Ballots currently require a simple majority to back action.
  • Removal of restrictions on using temporary workers to cover for striking staff. A ban has been in place since 1973.
  • Tightening rules on ballot mandates. This would prevent unions undertaking action based on historic strike ballots
  • Tackling the intimidation of non-striking workers