TALKS are set to be held today in a bid to resolve a dispute which led to strikes on the London Underground (LU) last week.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union walked out, bringing most Tube services to a standstill for much of the week.

RMT leaders are due to meet with LU officials today, the dispute now over working hours after the union signalled acceptance of a 3.4 per cent pay offer.

The union is seeking a cut in the working week from 35 to 32 hours after warning that its members are suffering from fatigue because of shift patterns and reductions in staff numbers.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey has said the union is prepared to negotiate a timescale for a cut in hours rather than achieve it immediately.

He said last week that industrial relations over the Underground had “totally collapsed.”

LU has responded that cutting hours is unaffordable and has denied that there are fewer Tube staff.

One estimate said that last week’s strikes cost the economy £230 million, while the hospitality sector was badly affected, with bars and restaurants having to close early because of a lack of customers.