London Tube struck to save jobs and service

London was tied up in knots as members of the RMT, aiming to save 950 ticket office jobs, launched a 24-hour system-wide strike Tuesday night.

While some lines were halted entirely, London Underground management tried to run limited service on others despite the lack of station and maintenance of way employees (the RMT does not represent operating personnel on the Tube). As a consequence, riders have been subjected to hazardous conditions of overcrowding.

The strike was precipitated by an attempt to close all ticket offices. Several years after winning office campaigning against ticket office cuts, London Mayor Boris Johnson has decided to close them all. The RMT has sought negotiations, but to no avail. One day before the strike deadline, RMT General Secretary Bob Crow led a union delegation to City Hall in an effort to press Johnson to talk. When Johnson continued to duck discussion, Crow called in to a radio show hosted by Johnson to confront him [See the BBC video here].

There is no equivalent of the Taylor Law for the London Underground.

The RMT has plans in the works for more 24-hour strikes, if Johnson does not revoke the closings order and start talking.

TWU strongly supports the RMT in this fight to save jobs and service. Click here for President Samuelsen's letter of support.