Millions of London commuters are facing transport chaos when a strike by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union begins at 4pm today. The industrial action involves essential maintenance staff and could cause significant disruption to tube services, making it difficult for Londoners to reach their offices and other commercial properties.
The strike has been called due to a dispute about staff employed by subsidiary Tube Lines being excluded from the Transport for London (TfL) pension scheme and travel concessions. The 1,000 workers involved in the action provide maintenance and emergency response on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines and are set to strike until 4pm on Friday.
Union members voted 4 to 1 in favour of the action and RMT leader Bob Crow blames management for failing to grant parity to Tube Lines staff. He said; “Tube Lines is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London and there is simply no excuse for refusing to give equal pension and pass rights.”
He also warned that, if TfL attempts to run a service without track patrolling or signal maintenance, he will advise other RMT members to refuse to put themselves at risk if they feel they are in danger. Tube Lines insist they have contingency plans to keep the underground running smoothly and that they would never put staff or passengers at risk. They have also called on the RMT to abandon the strike and return to negotiations.
The industrial action has been condemned by the London Chamber of Commerce on the grounds that it could have a widespread impact on businesses and commercial properties. A spokesperson said; “the last thing London businesses need at the moment is another tube strike costing millions in lost business and damaging the city’s reputation especially with just 100 days to go to the Olympics.”
The planned strike has also become a contentious issue in the race to become Mayor of London. Speaking on behalf of sitting mayor Boris Johnson, a staff member sought to link opponent Ken Livingstone to the action, saying; “It will come as no surprise to Londoners that a week before the mayoral election, Ken Livingstone’s RMT friend Bob Crow is trying to hit hard-working Londoners and businesses.”
A Livingstone spokesperson responded by blaming the strike on Johnson’s failure to negotiate a planned no-strike deal with unions. She said; “Boris Johnson’s failure to get a grip on the tube has led to more strikes in the last four years than in the previous eight years.”
London commuters are likely to be more concerned about getting to and from their offices than with the rights and wrongs of the issue. While only three lines are affected by the action, unfixed faults and a lack of emergency staff could have a knock on effect throughout the network if the strike continues. This could also have an adverse effect on shops and other commercial properties in London.
Do you think the RMT should call off their action or do you support the strike? And will you find it difficult travelling to your office or other commercial property if the strike continues?
