Heavy rain and potential strikes are inconveniencing tube passengers in London.

Passengers could face more frustration as London Underground workers will be balloted for strike action, while wet weather has closed stations during rush hour.

The Unite union has rejected the travel company’s final pay deal, stating the offer – of 1.5% in the first year and RPI plus 0.5% in the second – does not reflect the average pay rise in the UK.

This is the third pay offer from London Underground rejected by the union. Initially, London Underground offered a five-year deal of a 0.5% rise in the first year, followed by a four-year deal with 1.5% in the first year, and finally this current rejected deal.

John Morgan-Evans, Unite regional officer, said: “London Underground presented this as a ‘final offer’, indicating to us that it is no longer interested in negotiating. In these circumstances we have no other option than to ballot our members on industrial action with a recommendation that they vote in favour. This was the unanimous decision at a meeting of our workplace representatives.

“Unite would welcome further discussions should London Underground wish to return to the negotiating table.”

In addition to the potential strikes, passengers were also inconvenienced yesterday during rush hour (17:30, Tuesday 7 July), when three tube stations were closed after heavy rain in the capital. Flooding caused the Paddington, Victoria and Hyde Park underground stations to close to passengers, however all have now re-opened.