Tube unions say no to a no-strike deal

The warning puts Boris Johnson on a collision course with the leaders of the Underground's three most powerful unions.

He now faces backing down on one of his main manifesto pledges or risk a Tube strike.

Bob Crow, leader of the RMT, the largest of the Tube unions, said it would be "insane for us to surrender our democratic rights - our human right - to withdraw our labour to defend our interests".

He said: "The RMT wants good industrial relations [with the Mayor] but it will never enter into a no-strike agreement." Keith Norman, boss of train drivers' union Aslef, warned that Mr Johnson would be heading for "mass confrontation" if he didn't back down.

The TSSA, the second largest rail union, said it could not imagine what Mr Johnson would offer for it to agree such a deal.

"We don't know where he is coming from," said general secretary Gerry Doherty.

Mr Johnson had declared in his election manifesto: "I will look to reduce the disruption caused by strikes on the Tube by negotiating a no-strike deal with the unions."

In return for agreeing not to strike the unions will get "the security provided by having the pay negotiations conducted by an independent arbiter", whose final decision will be binding.

Mr Doherty said: "He is saying that we will have to give up our right (to strike.) I cannot conceive what on earth he could put on the table (to agree a no-strike deal.)"

He said strike action was the last and sometimes only weapon to use. "It is not just about pay, it is also about conditions."

Mr Norman said: "If Johnson tries to force a no-strike deal then London will have to get ready for mass confrontation. Boris has shown that he is not interested in negotiation or compromise."

The unions also said binding arbitration will not be accepted.

The warning came as Mr Johnson was preparing to scrap London's 350 bendy buses amid fears they double the risk of accidents and pose a danger to cyclists.

The 60ft vehicles will be replaced by a new "hybrid" Routemaster, and a competition to design the new vehicle is to begin this week.

However, Mr Johnson ran into trouble over the costing of the policy as the bill to replace the fleet rose from £8 million to £100 million. The new Mayor also faces fresh trouble over Metronet, the Tube maintenance giant which went bust last year with debts of £2billion.

Transport for London will take over its responsibilities in a "few weeks", but the unions say they will not allow more privatisation.