Ballot papers are being sent to RMT members working for London Underground, as the RMT pursues its claim for better pay and a restoration of free travel for all Underground staff.

The union said Transport for London has created a ‘bonus pot’ worth £13 million for senior managers, while the commissioner’s pay has been increased by 11 per cent this year.

It is also unhappy about a ‘freezing’ of pay bands, and claimed that the freeze will create a two-tier workforce.

The ballot opened yesterday and will continue until 19 December.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘Tube workers who help bring vast amounts of value to the London economy are not going to put up with senior managers and commissioners raking it in, while they are given modest below inflation offers.

‘The refusal of TfL not to restore staff travel facilities and create a two-tier workforce is also unacceptable. Our members will now decide whether to set a mandate for strike action over pay and we urge TfL to improve their offer to avert disruption to Londoners.’

Transport for London said it was encouraging the RMT to ‘continue to engage with us’ and put the latest offer to its members.

It had offered staff a 5 per cent pay increase for 2023, and although some jobs did come within a pay range which has been frozen for this year, is said this applied to ‘less than 2 per cent’ of staff.