Tube commuters today faced the threat of more disruption in the run-up to Christmas as union leaders ordered a strike ballot among hundreds of ticket office staff.
It came as voting closed today in two other ballots, one among 3,500 station staff and the other by 400 Piccadilly train drivers.
The unions have threatened to co-ordinate strike action for greater effect.
The white-collar TSSA union ordered the ballot among more than 500 ticket office staff in protest over what it claims is a lack of action by London Underground to protect them from verbal and physical abuse by passengers.
Staff have been moved out onto station concourses and platforms after former mayor Boris Johnson closed ticket offices.
A union survey, revealed by the Standard last month, recorded numerous instances of staff suffering the brunt of anger from passengers when the service and ticket machines break down.
TSSA leader Manuel Cortes said: “Passenger frustrations are going through the roof. Staff have been physically assaulted because of machines chewing up cards.”
The ballot result is due on Tuesday November 29, with the TSSA expecting strike action to be backed.
Steve Griffiths, chief operating officer for London Underground, said: “Everyone has the right to go about their work without fear or intimidation and we do not tolerate any form of verbal or physical assault on our staff.”
The results of the two RMT ballots were expected today.
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