Chaos looms as unions call Tube strike

Last Modified: 28 Mar 2008
Source: ITN

Tube passengers are facing travel chaos after transport unions called a three-day strike on the London Underground.

The row over safety issues involves the RMT and TSSA unions whose Tube members will strike from 6.30pm on Sunday April 6 to 6.30pm on Wednesday April 9.

The walk-out follows overwhelming votes in favour of industrial action in ballots by both unions.

The unions have told LU that its plans for ticket office closures, de-staffing, lone working, introduction of "mobile supervisors", use of agency and security staff and other disputed policies amount to "an unacceptable attack on safety standards and the casualisation of safety-critical work".

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "Each of these issues is serious in its own right but together they amount to a fundamental and unacceptable attack on staffing across the network, putting our members' and passengers' safety at risk.

"Tube workers will not stand idly by while the security of the network is compromised by managers who clearly believe that staff and passenger safety can be looked after on the cheap."

TSSA general secretary Gerry Doherty said: "This is a dispute about the safety of our Tube system. The last people we want to hit are the travelling public but this seems to be the only way we can make LU listen.

"We have been trying to make them understand for months that we will not allow safety standards to be lowered by the use of agency staff.

"Even at this late stage, we want a negotiated settlement and remain ready to talk next week to achieve one."

Before the strike dates were announced Transport for London said: "These issues have nothing whatsoever to do with safety, and not a single job is at risk.

"All of the issues raised by the RMT are already being addressed through the normal negotiating process. Significant progress has already been made and most of the issues have been agreed.

"The RMT's announcement does not mention the progress that has already been made. There is simply no reason for a strike, or even the threat of one, as all of the issues being raised can be resolved.

"A strike by the RMT would lose staff pay and inconvenience the travelling public to no purpose whatsoever. It is entirely unnecessary and we should get on with sorting out these relatively minor issues through the normal negotiating process."

These news feeds are provided by an independent third party and Channel 4 is not responsible or liable to you for the same.