London subway drivers call off strike

LONDON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Drivers for the London Underground say they've called off plans for more strikes, citing progress in talks with management on Boxing Day pay.

Their strike on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, caused disruption to the network on a day when traditional Boxing Day sales began and even forced the Arsenal football club to postpone a home match because of transport problems faced by fans, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

Tube -- or subway -- drivers had said they would walk out again on Jan. 16, Feb. 3 and Feb. 13 in a long-running contract dispute over bonus payments and whether the Boxing Day shift should be covered by volunteers.

The drivers, who earn $70,000 a year, were demanding triple pay and a day off for working on Boxing Day, a package worth $567.

The ASLEF union, which represents more than half the drivers on the network, said it had called off the scheduled strikes after "meaningful" talks with management.

Further negotiations are set for next week.

"I welcome the constructive approach taken by the leadership of ASLEF at our discussions," Howard Collins, London Underground's chief operating officer, said.