Tube strike to cripple London for 24 hours
Passengers have been warned to avoid travelling in London during a 24-hour Tube strike today.
Transport for London (TfL) warned of severe disruption across the Underground network, with many stations closed until 8am tomorrow. Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members are taking industrial action in a dispute over jobs and pensions.
The action followed disruption over the weekend for rail passengers in the north of England and Scotland, caused by a separate dispute involving the RMT. Transpennine Express told passengers to stay away because of a walkout by the union over pay.
TfL said no proposals had been tabled on pensions or terms and conditions, and nobody would lose their jobs because of its plans. TfL has proposed not refilling 500-600 posts as they become vacant.
Andy Lord, chief operating officer, said: “I’d like to apologise to London for the impact this strike will have on journeys. We know it’s going to be damaging to London and the economy, at a time when public transport is playing a crucial role in the capital’s recovery.”
People should travel only if necessary. “Alternatives to the Tube, including the bus and rail networks, are likely to be much busier than usual,” he said.
Mick Lynch, the RMT general secretary, said: “We are demanding a direct face-to-face meeting with mayor Sadiq Khan to sort this mess out. There’s no point in our union continuing to sit opposite management representatives who have neither the inclination nor the authority to negotiate a settlement, when the power lies with the mayor.”
