LONDON will face shutdown twice in a week this month after Tube unions announced further strikes yesterday over new rosters for all-night weekend service.

Staff represented by rail unions RMT, TSSA and Unite will strike for 24 hours beginning on the evenings of August 25 and 27.

Workers are calling on London Mayor Boris Johnson to end his refusal to meet with unions, which say that the top Tory’s plan for the London Underground to open all night at weekends would compromise the family life of staff members and deprive them of necessary rest.

They have called for greater compensation.

Along with drivers’ union Aslef, which has not announced its own plans yet, the three striking unions have already taken two days of industrial action, crippling the entire network.

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said that Mr Johnson should “stop playing Pontius Pilate.

“It is now time for the mayor to start getting his hands dirty and get down to serious direct negotiations to avoid a week of disruption on the Tube.”

Talks at conciliation service Acas will resume this morning after failing to make headway yesterday.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that new plans, branded “rosters from hell” by his members, were so tight because of staff cuts throughout the Tube.

“Staff are angry that their grievances are being ignored and dismissed by both the mayor and his officials and that there has been no substantial move … from London Underground to make progress towards a negotiated settlement,” he said.

“That is why we have no option but to strike again.

“It is ridiculous that the job cuts programme for fleet, engineering and station staff is also still being bulldozed through against this background.”

RMT also pledged its backing to two fleet support members at the Earl’s Court depot who were sent home and had pay deducted for complying with a union instruction on working.

“Tube workers are being offered an above-inflation pay rise, cash bonuses and a commitment that no-one will be asked to work more hours than they do today,” said a spokesman for Mr Johnson.

“The mayor continues to call for the unions to present that offer to their members and put an end to the completely unnecessary threat of industrial action.”