SERVICES on two Tube lines are set to be disrupted on one of the busiest shopping days of the year as train crews announced a 24 hour strike in defence of two tube drivers.

The RMT union instructed workers at the Bakerloo and Northern Line depots to strike from 9pm next Friday in response to the “victimisation” of Underground train staff.

London Underground said that one driver had been dismissed for a “serious safety breach” while the other is facing disciplinary action over “abusive behaviour” towards colleagues.

But RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said that both incidents were “clear cut cases of victimisation on the grounds of trade union activity”.

“By announcing these two dates for action we are sending out a signal that LU will not be allowed to get away with picking off our activists,” he said.

LU condemned the RMT leadership for threatening strike action today, and said that only 19 per cent of Underground workers voted for strike action.

Howard Collins, LU’s chief operating officer, said: “Yet again, the RMT leadership shows utter contempt for Londoners and the integrity of their own strike ballot process.

“They should end these pointless threats and get on with working with us to deliver an upgraded Tube system for London.”