Thousands of London Underground workers will stage a 24-hour strike in the New Year in an argument over jobs.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) will walk out from 6pm on January 8.

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “Our members are fed up of being made scapegoats for passenger frustrations with the new - and failing - ticket-vending machines, they are fed up of being pressured into overtime to try to cover up the misguided decision to cull over 800 jobs, and they are fed up of being fearful at work.”

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ”RMT will not stand by while safety is compromised on London Underground off the back of cash-led cuts to staffing levels that the union has warned would have a serious, lasting and corrosive impact for staff and passengers alike. That is why our members are taking this action.

"RMT members on the London Underground stations see day in and day out the toxic impact of the job cuts programme and they are reporting back that it is horrific.

"It has now also been shown that at management level there is agreement with the union that the cuts have been a disastrous mistake.

“With the constant overcrowding on stations and platforms, it is only a matter of time before there is a major tragedy if we don't act decisively."

Steve Griffiths, chief operating officer for London Underground, said they are always committed to reviewing new staffing model with the trade unions during its first year.

He said: “We will continue working with the unions as well as implementing the independent recommendations made by the London TravelWatch review to ensure our customers feel safe, fully supported and able to access the right assistance at all times.”