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Tube strike to hamper London transport
Transport for London's (TfL) failure to assure workers of their jobs and flexible benefits has led the union members to call for strike action.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has called for two periods of strike action starting 19:00 BST, June 23rd to 18:59 BST, June 25th and again from 19:00 BST, July 14th to 18:59 BST on July 16th.
Warnings have been issued as the unavailability of the Emergency Response Unit is likely to affect the whole underground tube system. London's Piccadilly, Northern and Jubilee lines are expected to suffer the most.
Bob Crow, general secretary at RMT, said that the union had been pushed to announce industrial action after TfL and Tube Lines were unable to ensure that workers would be protected from the effects of the privatisation attempt.
He added: "If the shareholders of Tube Lines, who failed miserably to meet the terms of their agreement, can walk away with £310 million of Londoners' cash in a 'golden-goodbye', after milking the contract for every penny, why should our members be expected to take a kick in the teeth on jobs, pay and working conditions?"
This week, RMT also issued a warning over TfL's decision to cut staff at stations servicing the Emirates stadium, which could lead to a crowd control disaster.
Posted by Elizabeth Mewes
