Two-thirds of the London underground network could be closed beginning Sunday after labour talks broke down today.
More than 2,000 RMT maintenance workers are set to strike starting 6pm on 15 April for three days.
Metronet Rail, which is responsible for upgrading, replacing and maintaining nine of the 12 tube lines, wants to transfer about 250 staff to Bombardier.
The RMT opposes the move and will re-institute an indefinite ban on overtime starting 22 April.
'It is a great pity that after we suspended the overtime ban scheduled for this week to enable those talks to take place, the company has not taken the extra step towards us that could have resolved the dispute', said RMT General Secretary Bob Crow.
Metronet calls the strike 'unnecessary and unwarranted'.
'We remain available for talks at any time', said Metronet Senior VP Mark Cooper.
'The planned strike action will lead to disruption for the three million people who use the tube every day.'
