London Underground - strike action in 2010 (merged topics)

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

The silliest headline I've seen in many a month, but hey-ho......

From the Morning Star:

Acas is to host talks aimed at averting strikes by thousands of London Underground workers, the conciliation service has announced.

The RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) and TSSA^» (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association - about) unions have agreed to meet Tube bosses in a bid to resolve the dispute about rail cuts and head off a series of 24-hour strikes due to start next Monday.

Tube managers said they asked Acas to invite the leaders of both unions to discuss the row over plans to cut 800 jobs - to be held this Thursday.

RMT leader Bob Crow said: "After weeks of dragging their heels over talks around the issues of staffing levels and safety at the heart of this dispute, RMT is pleased that London Underground has now recognised the importance of using the negotiating machinery to open up discussions. RMT has always been committed to meaningful and structured negotiations which protect jobs, quality of service and the safety of both passengers and staff. The industrial action remains on and, in light of the recent incidents involving fires at stations and the runaway train on the Northern Line, there are no grounds for compromising on safety and safe staffing levels."

London Underground chief operating officer Howard Collins said: "We welcome the RMT and TSSA leaderships agreeing to talks at Acas. We will be entering the discussions, listening to the concerns raised and trying to work together to resolve this issue without unnecessary disruption to Londoners."

[Chris from Nailsea]

It didn't work - from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Tube strikes to go ahead after talks break down

Talks aimed at averting a series of strikes on the London Underground have broken down, according to the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers)) union.

The RMT said the industrial action with the Transport Salaried Staffs Association would go ahead as planned.

The first 24-hour strike is planned for Monday with members due to walk out on a further three dates.

The unions are fighting plans to cut 800 jobs. London Underground said there would be no compulsory redundancies.

Up to 10,000 union members are expected to walk out for 24 hours on 6 September, 3 October, 2 November and 28 November.

Maintenance and engineering staff intend to walk out at 1700 with other workers, including Tube drivers, signallers and station staff, following suit at 2100 on the same dates.

Representatives from the RMT and TSSA^» (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association - about) met bosses from LU at the conciliation service Acas on Thursday morning. But the RMT accused LU management of "sabotaging" talks by failing to remove the threat of cuts to safety and staffing levels.

The RMT's general secretary Bob Crow said: "LU management knew very well that meaningful talks could not proceed while the threat of cuts to safety and safe staffing levels hung over our members' heads. Their failure to remove that threat sabotaged any prospect of making progress."

He also said the unions had "completely demolished" the LU line that the cuts were about new technology and the Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) card. "The planned cuts are part of a multi-billion pound black hole facing the mayor due to the costs of the failure of Tube privatisation and an attack on funding levels from the ConDem government," he said.

LU, however, accused the unions of imposing unreasonable preconditions that would render constructive discussions impossible.

Howard Collins, London Underground's chief operating officer, said: "London Underground went to Acas to take part in meaningful discussions with the TSSA and RMT leaderships, with the expectation that they would be prepared to do the same."

The TSSA also announced that its members employed by maintenance firm Tube Lines would strike on 7 September in a separate pay row.

Managers and clerical workers will walk out from 0900 BST to 1700 BST and start an indefinite ban on overtime.

TSSA general secretary Gerry Doherty said: "High-performing managers last year received no pay increase whilst many of the staff they manage received a pay rise of 4.2%. Tube Lines have consistently refused to negotiate with us over the matter and our members have finally said enough is enough."

In response to this, a Transport for London spokesman said: "In the current economic climate it is doubtful there will be much sympathy for the TSSA leadership's decision to take pointless and unnecessary strike action over the issue of managers' performance-related pay."

An Acas spokesman said: "It was not possible for the parties to reach an agreement. At this moment in time no further talks are planned."

Workers at Alstom-Metro depots on the Jubilee and Northern lines also plan to strike in protest over pay and conditions.

They will walk out for 24 hours at 1900 on 5 September, 2 October, 1 November and 27 November.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Gulf Times (no, really!):

Passengers stranded as Tube strike brings chaos

Tube passengers were stranded as a 24-hour strike brought rush-hour disruption with a warning that will cost London^s economy ^50mn.
Workers were told to leave the office early or risk being stuck in London as services started to wind down yesterday afternoon.
A walkout of 800 maintenance workers started at 5pm followed by drivers, station staff and signallers at 9pm.
Few trains are expected to run today with some lines reduced to a token shuttle service. Knock-on effects will last until tomorrow morning. The Northern and Piccadilly lines, strongholds of RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) union members, are expected to be among the hardest hit.
Commuters have also been urged to ^get on their bikes^, walk to work or stay at home today when only a handful of services are expected to run.
It came as Boris Johnson issued his starkest warning yet of the ^disastrous^ impact of the government^s planned spending cuts on London^s transport infrastructure.
Writing in the Evening Standard yesterday, the mayor says he ^cannot and will not accept^ the threatened 25% to 40% cuts in the budget.
Hotels across the capital were filling up fast as employers fought to ensure that key staff are at their desks today. The Park Lane Mews Hotel said inquiries for reservations had gone ^crazy for the last two days or so^.
The strike, with three more to come next month and November, is a joint action by 11,000 Tube staff belonging to the RMT and TSSA^» (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association - about) unions in protest over plans to axe 800 ticket office and station managerial jobs.
Picket lines will be outside train depots and main stations to deter those staff who want to work.
Dr Helen Hill, director of policy at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: ^London can ill afford disruption to its transport network at the best of times. But with economic conditions as tough as they are this will put further strain on businesses when they need it least.^
The cost of each walkout for the capital^s economy has been estimated at close to ^50mn. With three further strikes scheduled the total bill could exceed ^200mn.
Tube services across the network were gradually withdrawn throughout the evening as the strike took effect.
Transport for London has massive contingency plans including more buses, Thames commuter boat services and volunteer staff at stations handing out maps and travel advice.
The mayor came under increasing pressure yesterday to become directly involved in the now deadlocked talks.
A senior Tube source said: ^It seems Bob Crow ^ the RMT leader ^ is determined to have his strike, rattle cages and show he is a force to be reckoned with before this month^s party political conferences.^ There was no weekend contact between the unions and TfL^» (Transport for London - about) to try and settle the dispute.
Gerry Doherty, TSSA general secretary, said: ^I have always said we are willing to talk but they (the mayor and TfL) must have something to say that has not already been said.^ He said both sides had ^exhausted their positions.^
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said: ^A Tube strike will be bad for passengers, bad for business and bad for London.

[devon_metro]

I can think of Worse places to be "stranded"

Rural location with no buses perhaps

[inspector_blakey]

The Underground strike also made the US national news, at least on National Public Radio (NPR - the nearest equivalent of BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) radio over here) bulletins this morning.

Makes a change from Susam Boyle I suppose, which is usually the only news that finds its way across the Atlantic

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

London Tube strike ends following widespread disruption

Millions of Londoners have faced severe disruptions during a major Tube strike which affected nearly all its lines.

Services on all but the Northern Line were suspended or delayed and several stations closed during the first in a series of 24-hour strikes.

Staff walked out in two waves on Monday evening in a row over 800 job cuts.

The strike ended at 2100 BST on Tuesday, but Transport for London (TfL^» (Transport for London - about)) said there would a "stuttering service" for the rest of the night.

Unions said support for the strike was "rock solid" while the city's transport bosses said London "was not paralysed".

Some workers began strike action at 1700 BST on Monday while others walked out four hours later.

A TfL spokesman said: "The service will start to get back to normal but we don't expect a full service to resume until tomorrow morning. There will be a bit of a stuttering service after 9pm."

Earlier Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground (LU), said a 40% service on the Tube network, extra buses, river services, and other alternatives meant London was not paralysed.

"The paralysis of London predicted by the leadership of the TSSA^» (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association - about) union has failed to materialise, and we are confident of running a good service tomorrow morning."

A full service operated on the Northern Line, but many stations on the route were closed. There was a full service on the Waterloo and City Line for most of the day.

The Bakerloo, Victoria, District, Central, Piccadilly, Hammersmith and City, Jubilee and Metropolitan lines were all partly suspended and more than 70 stations remain closed.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers)) and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) unions are fighting LU plans to scrap 800 jobs in Underground ticket offices.

The unions have said security could be compromised for passengers.

But LU has insisted all stations would still be staffed and pledged there would be no compulsory redundancies.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "The message to the mayor and his transport officials is clear - stop playing fast and loose with safety, stop the drive towards unstaffed stations, drop the threat of these lethal cuts and start meaningful talks on a safe and secure future for the London Tube system."

The RMT has also accused LU of breaching safety regulations during the strike, but the Office of Rail Regulation said it was satisfied with LU's arrangements.

An extra 100 buses and 10,000 more passenger journeys on Thames riverboat services were laid on to cope with the strike.

Some taxi ranks were being marshalled and escorted bike rides operated.

A TfL spokesman said there were an extra 2,000 completed journeys using the city's cycle hire scheme between 0800 BST and 0900 BST, compared with the same time on Monday, a rise of about 60%.

But commuters expressed their frustration at the disruptions.

Sandra Gibson, who queued for buses, a taxi and the Tube to reach Praed Street from Paddington station, said: "I gave up and headed home. As a contractor this cost me half a days wage through no fault of my own."

Andrew Ross, of north London, said: "I've had two job interviews today and I was late for both. Walking to Russell Square also got me soaked from head to toe. Wondering if Bob Crowe's umbrella handler will accompany me on my next walk?"

Paul Simmons, who walked to his destination, said: "I'm now walking from Paddington to Golders Green via Edgware Road, Kilburn and West Hampstead. Less a call to arms, more a call to feet. Come on Londoners enjoy your city."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said new staffing proposals for the Underground were "moderate and sensible" and accused the unions of "cynically deciding to try the patience" of commuters.

Maintenance staff walked out first on Monday followed by drivers, signallers and station staff.

TfL said that on Tuesday almost 40% of its trains were running and only the Circle Line was completely suspended.

Mr Johnson said new staffing proposals for the Underground were "moderate and sensible" and accused the unions of "cynically deciding to try the patience" of commuters.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

London Underground passengers were trapped in a locked station for nearly 45 minutes during Monday's Tube strike.

About 20 people got off a train when the driver accidentally opened its doors at the shut Canada Water station in east London, at about 1700 BST.

Commuter Juliet Schenker, who had been trapped, accused Tube bosses of running "an unsafe service during the strike".

But Transport for London (TfL^» (Transport for London - about)) said it "wasn't putting anyone's safety at risk".

London Underground's chief operating officer Howard Collins said: "We sent a supervisor to go down to get people back on the next train - about 15 to 20 people. Those people got back on but unfortunately we believe two people had tried to exit the station and spent some time to find their way out."

Passenger Ms Schenker, who found her way out through a fire exit, said: "I started thinking 'What if I was ill? What if there was a fire?' It was a build up of panic. TfL was running an unsafe service during the strike. You can't put human life above money. I don't think that's acceptable."

But Mr Collins said the incident was because of "human error" and he could "only apologise".

He added that LU was "carrying out a full investigation" and would "learn lessons" from the incident.

The RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) and TSSA^» (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association - about) unions were on strike on Monday in the second in a series of walkouts over cuts to 800 ticket office jobs.

TfL claimed it was able to keep 75% of stations open and 40% of Tube trains running on the day.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Fourth strike by London Tube workers set to begin

Disruption is expected on the London Underground (LU) as thousands of workers prepare to begin a 24-hour strike over 800 ticket office job cuts.

Members of the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association will walk out on their fourth strike at 1829 GMT.

LU's refusal to suspend plans for 12 weeks during talks has prompted them to go ahead with the strike, the RMT said.

But Tube bosses said the unions did not take up their offer to further discuss the cuts proposals for six weeks.

LU said 77 stations across the network would remain closed, but said it intended to "run services on nearly all Tube lines, meaning that people will be able to get around".

The strike will last into Monday evening, leading to chaos for commuters at the start of the week.

Last week the unions had offered to suspend the strike if LU agreed to stall its proposal to make the cuts for 12 weeks, but talks with the management at the conciliation service Acas broke down.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "It is incredible that LU management would not agree to a 12 week suspension of the cuts to allow a thorough safety evaluation on the impact on each station of their cuts plans. They have thrown back in our faces a chance to suspend the action and have collapsed the talks and as a result the strikes go ahead from Sunday evening."

Mike Brown, managing director of LU, said: "We have been consulting with the union leaderships on this for more than six months, trying to establish what specific safety concerns they may now have. This week we offered a further six weeks to discuss our plans to see if there are any local issues which need to be addressed, but the leaders of the RMT and TSSA^» (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association - about) prefer to attack the people of London yet again and attempt to hold us all to ransom."

Union members have staged three strikes since August over the future of 800 employees in ticket offices at Underground stations.

Managers say fewer staff are needed at counters because of the widespread use of Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) swipe cards, but the RMT says this will affect both passenger and staff safety.

Transport for London (TfL^» (Transport for London - about)) has disputed the union's claims, saying all stations will be staffed while open.

On its website, TfL has said volunteers would be on hand at key stations to assist passengers and an extra 100 buses and boat services would be available for commuters during the strike.

It also warned its cycle hire scheme was likely to face high demand and some Tube stations would be closed.

LU expected to be able to run trains on all lines except the Circle Line - although sections of some other lines may have no service.

In Zone One, it expected the Piccadilly and Circle lines to be out of service, while service would start on the Central Line from 1000 GMT.

Among the 77 stations already announced as expected to be closed throughout the day are Charing Cross, Clapham Common, Heathrow Terminal 4, Shepherd's Bush and Piccadilly Circus.

Others could be partially closed, TfL warned.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Passengers left in closed station during Tube strike

During the last Tube strike passengers were let off a train at the closed and unattended Canada Water station for a second time, BBC London has learned.

A leaked report shows the latest incident happened on 29 November, when seven passengers had to make their way to the street through fire escapes.

On 4 October, during a previous strike, passengers were trapped at Canada Water for 45 minutes.

Transport for London (TfL^» (Transport for London - about)) said its staff assisted passengers out.

The report puts the incident down to "driver error".

It added: "This is not the first time this has happened at Canada Water."

During the previous incident about 20 people got off a train when the driver accidentally opened the doors.

Commuter Juliet Schenker, who had been trapped, accused Tube bosses of running "an unsafe service during the strike".

TfL spokesperson said: "Seven passengers were let off a Jubilee line train at Canada Water station.

"However due to industrial action the station was closed because of insufficient numbers of staff.

"The member of staff on duty spotted the passengers getting off the train and was able to assist them getting out of the station promptly."

TfL has been in a long-running dispute with the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) and TSSA^» (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association - about) unions over proposed job cuts.

[JayMac]

I'm amazed..... was rent-a-gob Commie Bob not available for a 'shame on the management' type quote for that latest BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) story?

[dog box]

Bob Crow as RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) General Secretary is only representing his members through union policy...love him or hate him you cant ignore him

[IndustryInsider]

Bob Crow as RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) General Secretary is only representing his members through union policy...love him or hate him you cant ignore him

There's people out there that think he's a bit of a pussy!

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/mar2011/tube-m23.shtml