26 Dec 2011

Tube strike delays for London shoppers

People in London face a day of disruption on the tube as drivers from the Aslef union stage a 24-hour strike about working on Boxing Day.

London underground (Getty)

London Underground said Tube services were likely to be “significantly disrupted”, but vowed to run as many as possible.

The walkout will affect shoppers eager to get to the Boxing Day sales as well as staff scheduled to work.

Arsenal have put back their Premier League game with Wolves but Chelsea’s game with Fulham is going ahead.

The Aslef union says working on Boxing Day should be voluntary and wants an incentive for drivers who agree to work. It claims there is currently no extra payment on offer.

London Underground says the union has asked for triple pay and a day off in lieu and has condemned the action as “completely unnecessary”.

Last week a High Court judge concluded that the strike by Tube drivers embroiled in a pay dispute was lawful and could go ahead.

If the row is not resolved, the union intends to take further action on 16 January and 3 and 13 February.

#c4news is asking Twitter whether the strikes are affecting you:

alanmills405 - Aslef union says working on Boxing Day should be voluntary and I support their action totally.

cablenoise - Not able to visit friends today. Who actually works and gets the package the strikers are aiming for? No one.

LaceyPR - Friend was working Christmas night shift - sob! - and has been texting me for bus advice as he couldn't get home to bed!

Lindsay1up - The London tube strikes are affecting me in a similar way to the rest of the country, fed up hearing about a niche story.

Brixtonite - Completely support Boxing Day tube strikes. Admire and respect how tube workers fight for their rights. Lesson for us all.