The RMT trade union has confirmed that its members on the London Underground will go ahead with a new wave of strike action.

Staff will walk out on March 12.

The latest dispute concerns 15 maintenance workers who were sacked after more than 100 cans of lager and a brandy bottle were found in the staff room at Farringdon tube station.

The men claimed they knew nothing about the alcohol.

"There is not a shred of evidence that says any of these men were guilty," said general secretary Bob Crow on Monday.

RMT members employed by the Metronet consortium backed the move by five to one.

Industrial action is expected to hit the District, Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith and City and East London lines, although drivers on other lines are expected to join the strike over safety fears.

London Underground said the dispute was between Metronet and its maintenance workers.

"We will continue to look to our employees to do their jobs because the dispute is not with LU," a spokesman said.

Norris pledge

Conservative mayoral candidate Steve Norris pledged to put in place a no strike deal on the Underground if elected.

He also promised a 100-day deadline by which negotiations on pay and conditions must be completed.

“I’ll make the unions an offer they ought not to refuse," Norris said.

"Tube strikes cause misery for passengers as well as damaging London’s reputation and I am determined to put an end to them. 

"I will get Bob Crow and other union representatives round the negotiating table to sort this problem once and for all. No union should have the right to bring the city to a standstill. 

"I intend to be completely fair and open with the unions.  I have no wish to remove employment rights in any way but a long term agreement that is fair to both sides is long overdue.”

Liberal Democrat London mayoral candidate Simon Hughes said: "This sort of industrial action does nobody in