Drivers on London’s night tube are to be balloted over strikes as part of a dispute over pay and jobs.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will vote in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action.

The union claims that drivers on the weekend service have been “blocked” from applying for vacant full time jobs on the London Underground network.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “It is outrageous that London Underground have decided to discriminate against their Night Tube drivers.

“This is a senseless and damaging policy that picks out one group of staff for negative treatment and of course the drivers are angry and that is why we are balloting for action.

“RMT calls on LU to see sense, stop these stupid attacks on career progression and fair reward for overtime working and confirm that this discrimination against the Night Tube drivers has been lifted.”

Transport for London said that drivers were taken on with an 18 month clause and that there is “no need” to threaten industrial action.

Peter McNaught, London Underground operations director, said: “Night Tube services have been running since August last year in line with agreements reached with the unions.

“We invite the RMT to meet with us to discuss any issues that need to be resolved and there is no need to threaten industrial action.”

This comes the same week as further strikes are set to disrupt travellers with the Central and Waterloo & City lines expected to have little to no service.

From late on Tuesday evening the Central Line will be closed with Transport for London recommending passengers complete their journeys by 11.30pm.

On Wednesday there will be no Central Line services east of Leytonstone, limited services on the rest of the Tube line which is a major artery through the heart of the city, and no Waterloo and City Line service.